Koppeltragegestell Y Riemen (Y-straps)

German "Y-riemen" were a type of Y-shaped suspender system, officially called a "Koppeltragegestell" or "belt suspender," used by the German military during World War II to distribute the weight of a soldier's equipment from the waist belt to the shoulders. Introduced in 1939, these straps were initially intended for infantry and were later adopted by other units, helping to improve the load-bearing capacity for soldiers carrying a significant amount of gear. The primary purpose was to evenly distribute the considerable weight of equipment, such as the waist belt and attached pouches, across the soldier's shoulders and back. The system was introduced in April 1939, replacing older methods of weight support, and its official name was "Koppeltragegestell für Infanterie" (belt suspenders for infantry). Early versions were made of smooth leather with painted steel hardware, which transitioned to unpainted steel and other materials as the war progressed

This item:
A very nice but incomplete set of Y-straps (actually they are V-riemen now). Production mid-war period. I cannot make out a maker name. Both straps named to a soldier "L. Kraft".