WW2 German Bread Bag (Breadbag) Reference Thread

[Aaron]

From 1931 to 1945 breadbags were mostly identical in construction until the last two years of the war. Materials however varied widely from the type and color of canvas, type and color of leather/webbing fittings, and overall quality. Branch of use also influenced construction, with Kriegsmarine breadbags and straps noticeably having their own construction style. The first versions with full leather belt loop reinforcements are referred to as M31's and typically have aluminum fittings on earlier samples (the very earliest may have brass), with steel hardware being introduced by the late 30's/early 40's. the breadbag straps from this time period will have 5 rows of reinforcement stitching. From 1940 onward, breadbags start to appear with the leather belt loop reinforcements omitted, these are referred to as M40's by some collectors but I do not know if the Germans recognized such a difference in any Army Ordnance Bulletins. During this time the breadbag strap is simplified to only have 2 rows of stitching. Around 1941 sees the introduction of the tropical breadbag, with leather fittings replaced with webbing. As the war progresses, mixes of materials becomes common, with some breadbags having mixes of various leather colors and types and webbing fittings. The first major change to the breadbag occurs in 1944 with the introduction of the so-called M44, which adds an interior pouch for the RG34 cleaning kit and removes the center belt hook in favor of a simple canvas loop. The d-rings for the breadbag strap are more often than not omitted on this model. Finally we see the introduction of the enigmatic M45 breadbag, which many suspect was paramilitary but I firmly believe was standard issue to combat troops. This model removes all the belt loops and center support in favor of an integrated shoulder strap, and much like the WW1 and paramilitary breadbags, only has one side with hardware for mounting equipment to it. The short-lived RG34 pouch is also removed.

Most collectors recognize these variant "models":

M31= leather reinforced belt loops
M40= plain canvas belt loops, standard or mixed materials
M44= removed center belt hook replaced with canvas loop, added RG34 pouch, omitted rear d-rings for breadbag strap
M45= integrated shoulderstrap with removed belt loops and center support, omitted Rg34 pouch, only one equipment mounting set

I will continue to update this thread as I acquire more breadbags, feel free to contribute, preferably by using the same types of images and descriptions.

 

[Aaron]

Early model with leather belt loop reinforcements, all leather is supple and in good condition, intact buttons, small holes and frays throughout, repair with period zeltbahn material to pocket button, no visible maker marks. Includes early 5 row stitch 1941 dated breadbag strap with illegible maker mark.

 

[Aaron]

Midwar model without leather belt loop reinforcements, all leather is supple and in good condition, intact buttons, no holes or frays, illegible maker mark, includes unmarked midwar 2-row stitch breadbag strap.

 

[Aaron]

Midwar model without leather belt loop reinforcements, all leather is supple and in good condition no holes and frays, illegible maker mark, left button has been period replaced, no holes, minor frays, illegible maker mark, initials sewn into the pouch with red thread, includes added midwar 2-row stitch breadbag strap dated 1943 and marked with partially illegible RBNr. ending in /0118.

 

[Aaron]

Midwar model without leather belt loop reinforcements, all leather is supple and in very good condition, all leather appears to be RME maker style "cobblestone" pebbling, one period replaced button, illegible maker mark, includes added breadbag strap with illegible RBNr. that is made with the same pebbled leather and same color painted hardware, quite possibly the same maker.

 

[gunnertwo]

Excellent posts and information, thanks.

G2

 

[Aaron]

Latewar M45 breadbag, supple intact leather and stitching, canvas in good condition with some holes and frays, metal is moderately rusted/patinaed, RBNr. 0/0448/0078 (Wiko Lederwarenfabrik GmbH - Brake) ink marking is in great conditon, right button resewn by myself with proper linen thread.

 

[panzertruppen]

Here is mine. I think it’s an early war production named to someone in the navy named Frohberger. Let me know what you think of it.

 

[Aaron]

Here is mine. I think it’s an early war production named to someone in the navy named Frohberger. Let me know what you think of it.

Classic M31 pattern. Kriegsmarine breadbags are identical to all the others but for some reason they were issued with a different style shoulderstrap. The nametag is in the location prescribed in manuals for where they should be sewn.

 

[panzertruppen]

Do you have an example of a KM shoulders tap so I can be on the lookout?

 

[fireman]

Aaron,

Great write up! Nice bags. Thanks for doing a thread like this.

Why do you believe the M45 bag is military and not paramilitary?

I'm surprised you don't have an M44 bag?

 

[Aaron]

Aaron,

Great write up! Nice bags. Thanks for doing a thread like this.

Why do you believe the M45 bag is military and not paramilitary?

I'm surprised you don't have an M44 bag?

Paramilitary items are almost always different in construction from army goods. Different leathers, fabrics, and construction. These bags to me, appear to be made of of materials typical in military goods. The RBNr. system being utilized on these bags instead of the RZM system is also a good indicator these are military production. Finally, there are latewar mapcases of a similar design philosophy where they remove the belt loops and just install a leather shoulderstrap, much like how these breadbags have shoulderstraps even though it uses more material. I suspect the rationale was to be able to issue an item and guarantee it does not require other equipment like a belt and buckle to be used.

I refuse to pay the utterly retarded prices people are asking for M44's is why I don't have one at the moment. They are almost all unissued and are not that rare, its just the commercialization of the hobby has made them out of reach, like most everything else at this point.

I'm glad you like the thread, be sure to check out my other reference threads, and feel free to contribute using the same format!

 

[Aaron]

Midwar model without leather belt loop reinforcements, all leather is supple and in good condition, uncommon mixed of webbing and leather gear loops, has "45" ink stamp on underside of pocket closure strap and is unknown if this is a batch stamp or a date, two resewn button, marked RB-Nr. 0/0850/0845 for unknown maker in Stadt- u. Landkreis, München, matching breadbag strap has been added.

 

[fireman]

Paramilitary items are almost always different in construction from army goods. Different leathers, fabrics, and construction. These bags to me, appear to be made of of materials typical in military goods. The RBNr. system being utilized on these bags instead of the RZM system is also a good indicator these are military production. Finally, there are latewar mapcases of a similar design philosophy where they remove the belt loops and just install a leather shoulderstrap, much like how these breadbags have shoulderstraps even though it uses more material. I suspect the rationale was to be able to issue an item and guarantee it does not require other equipment like a belt and buckle to be used.

I refuse to pay the utterly retarded prices people are asking for M44's is why I don't have one at the moment. They are almost all unissued and are not that rare, its just the commercialization of the hobby has made them out of reach, like most everything else at this point.

I'm glad you like the thread, be sure to check out my other reference threads, and feel free to contribute using the same format!

Thanks. That makes sense when you explain it. Perhaps made for a Volksstrum contract? I have looked a lot of pictures of Volksstrum units over the years. Quite a few seem to have a breadbag slung. Hard to tell if it is a separate strap though. But perhaps not?

I realize that the Volkssturm units were a party organization but the did fall under Heer authority too.

I hear you on m44 bag prices.

 

[SVW1945]

Here is my late war army bread bag with the Rg34 cleaning kit pouch.

 

[komet45]

Thank you for posting this wonderful reference information, it has inspired me to pull out my only breadbag to take a closer look. This example appears to be an earlier production M31 and has been modified with seemingly period components. Are "field modified" breadbags common? Did other countries use these and modify them Post-War?

I do not wish to "hijack" your thread, I only hope to add another "variation" to the list. I have created a thread for further discussion on this particular bag here:

Pre-War / Early WW2 German M31 Breadbag UNIT MARKED & FIELD MODIFED

I recently found this breadbag at a local flea market in the bottom of a "junk box." It appears to be a mid-to-late 30s era production piece and has been modified from it's original form but still functions the same. The canvas material has a "blue-greenish" gray tone and shows considerable...

www.k98kforum.com

 

[Hambone]

Excellent, pic stickied. Thanks Aaron!

 

[byf41]

Most original bags have buttons with three holes, is it a red flag if you see one that has four holes in the buttons?

 

[Aaron]

Yes the majority have the 3 hole dish button like zeltbahns, but genuine 4 hole button ones pop up occasionally, often ersatz or captured material made bags. It is also worth mentioning that these things were used daily and took a beating. buttons are some of the first things that need replacing, so I would not immediately rule out the originality of a breadbag with some or all replaced buttons.