MP40 Ammunition Pouches - Tan

Tan MP40 Ammunition Pouches – equipment for the Maschinenpistole 40

The tan MP40 ammunition pouches formed part of the individual equipment used for carrying magazines for the Maschinenpistole 40. The pouch system was normally arranged as a left and right pair, each pouch containing three vertical magazine compartments, giving a total carrying capacity of six magazines on the equipment belt.

The tan colour reflects light canvas shades such as natural cloth, sand or khaki, all tones seen on wartime textile equipment. These colour variations could depend on fabric supply, dye batches, manufacturer and production period. Compared with green, feldgrau or blue-grey versions, the tan variant has a lighter and more neutral appearance.

The construction in heavy canvas provided durability, flexibility and enough strength for repeated field use. Closure straps, rear belt loops, buckles and leather reinforcements were placed at the points most exposed to tension and wear, keeping the pouches secure on the belt and holding the magazines firmly during marching, movement and field service.

Each compartment was shaped for one straight MP40 magazine, normally holding 32 rounds of 9×19 mm Parabellumammunition. The three-cell arrangement on each side distributed weight across the belt and allowed the magazines to be reached quickly. This layout was especially important for personnel carrying a submachine gun, where ready ammunition and fast magazine changes were essential.

The MP40 was used by a wide range of German units, including infantry, armoured crews, vehicle personnel, paratroopers, non-commissioned officers, officers, security detachments and support formations. As a compact automatic weapon, it was suited to close-range fighting, vehicle use, assaults and situations where mobility and immediate firepower were important.

From a construction standpoint, MP40 pouches followed a simple but practical design: textile body, vertical compartments, adjustable closures and reinforced attachment points. The tan version keeps the same functional structure as green or feldgrau examples, while the lighter fabric colour reflects the wide material variation found in wartime textile equipment.

Collector’s note: MP40 pouch pairs may differ between the right and left sides. Some sets include a small auxiliary pocket, often associated with a loading tool or maintenance accessory. On tan examples, fabric shade variation can be especially visible, ranging from light sand to darker khaki.