Danish M45 Webbing Pouch

The Danish M45 webbing bag is part of the Oppakningssystem M/45-50. This Danish army load-bearing system was developed immediately after World War II by the Danish Equipment Commission in cooperation with the British Mills Company. The gear is heavily inspired by the well-known British Pattern 1937 (P37)webbing system.

Key features

• Material: Made of a very robust, thick cotton canvas (webbing).
• Color: Originally produced in khaki/sand color (early post-war models), and later in olive drab (OD green) during the 1960s and 1970s due to the rise of infrared cameras.
• Fasteners: Equipped with sturdy metal or brass press studs (often featuring British markings like Lift-the-Dot) and brass buckles.
• Markings: Often stamped with Danish military inspection marks, such as the royal crown and letters like HTK (Hærens Tekniske Korps) or FKF (Forsvarets Krigsmaterielorvaltning).

Popular variants within the M45 system

When people refer to an M45 webbing "bag", they usually mean one of the following specific components of the load-bearing system:

• Large Pack (M45-59): A square canvas pack with shoulder straps that can be worn on the webbing set or separately for larger loads.
• Ammo Pouches: Rectangular pouches worn on the front of the belt to carry ammunition.
• Canteen Pouch: A specially shaped canvas pouch with double press studs to hold the Danish M48 canteen and its nesting cup.
• Buttpack / Breadbag: A small bag worn on the lower back for personal rations and small equipment.

Compatibility

Thanks to the Mills Company design, the Danish M45 system is fully interchangeable with the British WWII P37 equipment system. The hooks and rear attachment straps fit directly onto British load-bearing belts. This makes these bags highly popular today among collectors and re-enactors of both Danish Cold War gear and British World War II militaria.