Ok,, Time for a Stupid question.

[predator06]

I Have ben avoiding asking this question for about a year now, cause I Know the answer is probably so simple and Obvious, That I might look a little thick for asking it.


Well,, Here goes,,

On the German Y shoulder straps, Theres the back hook which attaches to the back of my pistol belt. and of course 2 more up front that attach to my ammo pouches.

But,, Attached to each of the front straps is a Second strap with a loop instead of a hook.

My Guess is that these are attachment points for the bottom part of the Back pack when its attached to the Y straps. But I'm not sure.

If they ARE for the back pack, Is there anything special I should do with them when not in use? or should I just leave em to dangle freely.

[schmitty]

That is actually a very good question. I wondered the same thing. After checking a lot of period pictures it seems that when not attached to the A-frame the additional straps are left dangeling or tucked behind the straps that attach to the front of the belt (or ammo pouches if used).

On a related question. When not using the ammo pouches, belt loops are used to attach the 2 front y-straps to the belt. But what about the back? Belt loops seem to come in pairs, I noticed recently while watching Raiders of the Lost ark. (Yes I realize this is not a accurate historical reference) that they have a belt loop at the back as well. Was this ever done? or does the back Y-strap hook directly to the belt.

Schmitty

[predator06]

Thats what I figured, But I wasnt shure. I Know the Backpack, (a-frame) hooks onto the shoulder straps,, but I dont have one so I wasnt shure of it.


Yes, the hook in the back goes under the belt, Right between the 2 straps of your bread bag. Personaly though, I Find that useing a Black Leather Belt Loop, ( like the one you atach your canteen to) works much beter.

[Gordak]

OK OK I will end the mystery!

The straps have a number of purposes, Krupp was right, they can hold down the back of the A-frame, but they have other uses too, Virtually all of the back packs hook on the same way (like the A frame) But further more they are often used if you need you gas mask can to be higher on your kit. Also, when traveling in a vehicle, your gas mask is supposed to be up, infront of your chest, you can use the straps to help keep it there. You can also hang your canteen there temporarily. I belive ther was a special leather harness to hold your helmet up there, which is handy because if you hang it lower it touches your legs and you wouldnt be able to march that way. Otherwise they are kinda useless and I have seen many original paits where the soldier just cut them off (no doubt to use them for something else)

As a reenactor, I would recomend keeping them on, as its just another thing the Chain dogs will bitch about if you cut them off.

Schmitty when you dont use Kar98 pouches, there is a special attachment we call a "D-ring" These are basically just leather loops that have the same metal D ring thats on the Kar98 pouch. You are never supposed to just hook the y straps to the bottom edge of the belt (like you do with the rear hook.
Often, if a soldier is travelling REally light, he will have 3 D-rings attached to the 3 points on the y straps.
another Use is if the guy is REALLY tall, he can used a D-ring in back to lenthen his y straps.
Im sure they are some reenactor suppliers that have D-rings for sale. I usually end up buying a couple at each reenactment (easy to loose).
-Gordak

[Gordak]

hhahaha you cant say "bitch"
I got censored!
-Gordak

[predator06]

Censored? I wonder how it censors OTHER words.

Im gona try it. If Any of this profanity makes it thrue the sensor, I will edit it out.

DONT TRY THIS AT HOME KIDS! Soap tastes like nuts !

Here goes.

OOPS! it actualy edited out VERRY LITTLE of that post refering to a "party" with stalins mom. So I had to delete ALL of it.

BLAAA HA HA HA!! It changed the Word I Actualy used, to the word NUTS. and still turned out Obscene! ;D