Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely, serviced used MG 34/42 gunners tool pouch, made from Preßstoff (Press Material) imitation leather, which is made from multiple layers of pressed paper. The MG tool kit consisted of a molded, black bakelite sulfur container, oilers, wrench tool, cartridge remover, starter tab, rubber and fabric muzzle covers as well as a thick cloth pad for the removal of hot, used barrels.

Originally designed to be worn by the MG34 Gunner, original pouches would have contained wooden inserts and spring clips to hold and affix all the tools needed to fix and maintain their Machine Gun. When the MG42 was produced the internals of the pouch were changed again to accommodate the new tools needed for their new, state of the art machine guns.

The pouch is in lovely fully functional condition, and appears to retain all of its internal components. The securing strap appears a bit weak but otherwise the set is great.

This example is stamped under the lid fuq 1945 for manufacture by Curt Vogel K.G., Cottbus in 1945. All stitching is intact with all aluminum rivets missing from the repurposing process.

Definitely a unique MG gunner's pouch. Comes more than ready for further research and display.

Presstoff (also Preßstoff or Pressstoff) is the German-language term for a type of ersatz or artificial leather used during the first half of the 20th century. Made of specially layered and treated paper pulp, Presstoff was durable and easily adapted to be used in place of leather, which under wartime conditions was rationed. First invented in the 19th century, it gained its widest use in Germany during the Second World War.

Presstoff use included but was not limited to binoculars cases and straps, horse tack, bayonet frogs, equipment belts, cap visors etc. In short, Presstoff could be used in almost every application normally filled by leather, excepting items like footwear that were repeatedly subjected to flex wear and/or moisture. Under these conditions Presstoff tended to delaminate and lose cohesion.