My first NVA Flächentarn/Blumentarn set

Thanks, the condition is amazing. The fabric is still waxy too.

So good.

They don't come in better condition than that!

I don't know the history of the anti-gas coating (waxy feeling stuff), but I do know it wasn't used on the 1st Model (1958-1960) or on the later stuff issued in parallel with Strichtarn from 1965-1970s.  For sure I've got items from 1963 and 1964 with the waxy coating, maybe 1962.

Answering Andrew's question from the previous page (and previous year!), there's a large variety of oddball Blumentarn stuff out there designed for explicit, narrow uses.  For example, I have a Blumentarn satchel that is fitted around a Pioneer control box for selective detonation of demolition charges.  Only one I've ever seen, but it is definitely factory made.  There's other things like that out there for sure.

As for ammo pouches, there's only 4 that I'm aware of:

2 Cell AK
3 Cell AK
SKS
2 section RPD

You can see examples of these here, as well as a couple of oddball items:

http://www.flaechentarn.de/ausruestung/ausruestung.htm

The 2 Cell AK pouch is designed to be worn opposite of the 3 Cell AK pouch.  The common thought is the 2 Cell AK pouch was intended for Fallschrimjäger because airborne forces (logically) have to carry more ammo on their person than normal infantry.  Given that the 2 Cell AK pouch is designed to be worn on the opposite side of the standard 3 Cell AK pouch, I presume this is an accurate theory.  If the 2 Cell was designed to be a substitute for the 3 Cell, for example rear services or armor crewmen, then it would likely be on the same side of the belt buckle as the standard 3 Cell.

It is logical for there to have been a 4 Cell AK pouch, but I've not seen one as far as I know.  I checked my reference pictures and don't see any either.  If one exists, I'm anxious to see it

Note that there's two distinctly different Blumentarn hoods, as there is for Strichtarn.  The 1st Model has button holes and was designed for the 1964 experimental jacket and 1965 and early 1966 1st Model production jacket.  The 2nd Model has no button holes and was designed for wear with the 2nd Model and subsequent models.  The button hole types are very hard to find for either Strichtarn or Blumentarn.  The latter is super expensive if you see one for sale, whereas the non-hole type is just silly expensive

Steve

Just got this nice Flächentarn canteen bottle. The small cup even doesn't have any dents. Usually these cups come pretty battered.

this bottle looks amazing, just like new. brilliant find Alex, nice one.

Found some nice Flächentarn Sturmgepäcks, interestingly both are MdI stamped 1965 and 1966 but the inner side of the flap is made different.

I think the flap differences are a result of "whatever is lying around today" construction

MdI for both of these is interesting. I've never heard a good explanation as to why Blumentarn and Strichtarn were produced in parallel and for both NVA and MdI.

Steve

Good acquisitions, Alex!
In my opinion, nowadays such stuff from NVA DDR looks very interesting and even exotic...