German Brotbeutel (bread bag / haversack) from before the war
Very nice example of the pre-war German Brotbeutel with brass hook and buttons. One of the buttons was missing and the owner fixed this with safety-pin (holes still visible).
A view of the Brotbeutel marks of Infanterie Regiment von der Marwitz (8. Pommersches) Nr.61. In 1912 this haversack was assigned to the M.G.K – Maschinengeweh Kompanie of this regiment. The Infanterie-Regiment Nr.61 was located in Thorn (Toruń).
There were two methods of carrying the bread bag. The bread bag could be suspended from the shoulder with strap attached to the rings on the bread bag back or directly engaged on the belt with two canvas loops and hook.
During the war the bread bag strap was worn as a support of the ammunition pouches. – This was very popular among soldiers.