WW2 Japanese Molded Rubber Ammunition Pouch

This molded rubber material was approved as a substitute for leather in 1938.

In 1938, the two primary Japanese contractors of military leather products such as ammo pouches foresaw the coming embargo of favored cattle leather from the US. They requested permission to manufacture two leather substitutes using rubber. One was rubberized canvas which consisted of three layers of canvas bonded by latex with the canvas on the exterior. The other was latex injected into a mold containing canvas; essentially rubber on the outside.  Production began almost immediately to fill orders needed for the army and navy.  Production continued into early 1945.

This is the injection molded ammo pouch whuch holds two 15 round boxes of rifle ammo, either 6.5mm or 7.7mm.

This one has feint markings inside and a variant rubberized canvas closure strap.

This is a very rare pouch with the last ditch cardboard and canvas ammo pouch being more rare.

The last photo shows the five variations of ammo pouches used by the Japanese in WW2. Army, Navy (Split Front), Molded Rubber, Rubberized Canvas & Last Ditch (Cardboard Covered with Canvas).