Sorry no.
Once leather is dyed, that's pretty much it.

There are chemicals that "might" lighten the color, but dyed leather doesn't give up the color, especially not when it's black.

What you'd wind up with is a blotchy mess, and a ruined pouch.

I'd leave the pouch alone, and either look for a Russet one, or just buy a good replica from either El Paso Saddlery, or Pacific Canvas & Leather.

 

Thanks, that is what I thought. Do you know if the military dyed these things for specific duties or it is more likely someone did it outside the military? Possibly for use in other conflicts?

Either way I only paid about $15 for it and two ww2 mags, but I don't want to ruin something just to make it look better.

Thanks
Steve

 

Up until the post-Korean war time frame, GI leather was a Russet color.

After Korea, the military went to black leather, and a lot of Russet got dyed.

You can buy replica GI holsters and magazine pouches from El Paso Saddlery or Pacific Canvas & Leather.

The PC&L stuff is good quality, made in China.
The El Paso is the finest replica leather ever made. Expensive, but the best.

 

Yea, I gotta agree with that one. I worked in the custom leather trade for a while back in the 80's and yup, once its dyed its there. You could try acetone but it'll just lighten it like the one response said, plus you'll risk drying the leather out and possibly destroying your product.