I recently got in this K98 pouch. At first I thought the pouch was KM marked but now I have it in my hands, that is not the case. It is maker marked FR. OFFERMAN u. SOHN BENSBERG and dated 1941. It has three features that make this pouch unusual.
1) With a date of 1941, this is the earliest late pattern pouch (closed belt loop) I've seen.
2) Eagle and swastika stamped on the back, but no "M" below. Instead there are the clear letters "ZZA". I expected to see a "W" but now I'm certain there are two SS runes before the letters "ZZA" and an illegible character at the end, possibly a number "4". I've never known a K98 pouch to have an acceptance stamp, but could this be?
3) Small rectangular hole punched into the back that has gone through and made an outward impression on the left pocket. Leather dye ink has run into the cut edges which indicate the hole was there BEFORE the leather was dyed. The threads do not appear to have been dyed so I'm sure the pouched wasn't re-dyed. If the hole was a production mistake, I can't see how it would have received an acceptance stamp.
What are some opinions regarding the eagle and the letters below?
Overall front and back:
Opinions on Unusual K98 Pouch Features
Threaded Mode
