I've read this over several times (excellent translation, Mr. Wood), and I think I'm missing something. Is the question if the referenced cleaning kit was part of the original Luger issue? Same as the two matching magazines, grips, holster, grip screws, ect? Or is the question if they had the cleaning kit with the guns when issued? Perhaps I can throw a little more into the deal. Military supply issue is basically divided into expendable and nonexpendable categories. These are further divided into property book, non property book, and non property book but accountable. Using the Luger as an example, the gun itself is a serial numbered property book item listed on the unit's Table of Organization and Equipment (TO&E). It is accounted for by serial number during audit. The holster is a non property book but accountable item. It's not in most cases serialed numbered but is a necessary item for the gun. During audit it would be viewed as serviceable or not, replaced if necessary, but not held to the same accountability as the gun. If unusable it would be thrown away. Not so with the gun. At the lowest level would be the cleaning kit. Necessary, not accounted for, not inventoried, items used up in normal day to day actions, but absoultely essential for the the gun. So if there were pistols, there were holsters. There were cleaning kits with something to hold them in issued to each soldier with a gun. Same as it is now. The same cleaning kits (except the takedown tool) were issued with the 03A3,M1 Garand, M-1 Carbine, and M14. Nothing new there either.
rk
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