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H010160 M31 CANTEEN & CUP. (Feldflasche 31 und Trinkbecher)
BACKGROUND: Introduced on March 23RD 1931 the standard issue M31 canteen was based on the WWI M1893 and M1907 canteens with minor modifications. Originally the M31 canteens were manufactured in aluminum but later as the aluminum was required for other more critically essential items the canteens began to be manufactured in steel. In late 1940 with the impending German entrance into the North African campaign the standard brown felt cover and leather retaining straps and carrying harness of the M31 canteen were altered to an olive drab felt cover and web straps for longer wear in the tropical climate. Another variant, developed in late 1941, was the replacement of the felt covers with a plastic impregnated wood covering for better durability. When issued the canteens came with an integral carrying straps and harness and regulations prescribed the assorted manners in which the canteen was to be carried with the most common form being to secure it to the bread bag suspended from the load carrying waist belt although other methods were also utilized. With potable fluids being such an essential item for an individuals well-being the canteen must be considered as a very important piece of personal kit.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Standard issue, .8 liter capacity, tooled natural aluminum construction M31 canteen with a molded black bakelite cup and blackened leather carrying straps and harness with alloy and steel fittings. The roughly, 8 3/4" tall, 5 1/2" wide, 3" thick, vertically oval, tooled, natural aluminum construction canteen is contained in a slightly mottled, brownish/green felt cover with four, black painted, sheet metal closure snaps, machine stitched seams and a vertical, blackened leather harness and carrying straps. The felt cover has a horizontal, leather retaining loop stitched to both the obverse and the reverse and a rivetted on, natural aluminum stud to the bottom for securing the carrying strap and harness. The leather carrying and cup retaining straps have a pronged, black painted, sheet metal, roller buckle to the obverse and a matte grey painted, steel, attachment friction clip to the reverse all intact. The reverse has dual layered, carrying straps with the top strap having a cut-out eyelet to secure it to the stud on the bottom of the felt cover. The canteen has a molded, black bakelite, screw on cap with vertical ribbing to the top edge, and a, rivetted on, leather retaining strap all intact. The canteen comes complete with a molded black bakelite construction, 1/4 liter capacity cup. The roughly, 3" tall, vertically, cylindrical, cup has a 3" x 2 3/4" outwardly fluted, oval mouth and a 1 3/4" diameter bottom with a central depression to accommodate the retaining strap. Both the screw on cap and the cup are well marked with the embossed, DIN Deutsche Industrie Norm, (German Industry Standard), logo. The canteen body and the interior of the felt cover have the matching, impressed and black inkstamped manufacturer’s initials and date, "MN 41", indicating an unknown manufacturer in 1941. The canteen, cover and cup are all in overall very good condition with minimal age and usage toning although the straps are quite dry and fragile and show heavy surface cracking.
GRADE *** PRICE $119.00
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