Original German WWII Aluminum M31 Canteen Rig with Aluminum Cup - Marked MN42 & RFI 38

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a German WWII Issue M31 Feldflasche (Field Bottle) aluminum canteen water bottle rig, with all parts except for the bakelite cup, but there is an aluminum cup, so it displays as complete. It has the correct aluminum screw top cap, a genuine wool cover with unmarked snaps, and an aluminum cup. This is held together by the standard black leather belt harness, which has a painted steel belt hook on the back, for attaching to the combat rigging.

The maker’s stamp on the aluminum cup, MN42, is for the maker Metallindustrie GmbH. Neunkirchen-Saar (MENESA), and the 42 indicates production year, 1942. Canteen makers never switched to the three letter code system during the war, and continued to use abbreviations throughout the war. The aluminum top cap still has the sealing washer, though we cannot guarantee it still holds water.

The canteen itself is marked RFI 38 for 1938 manufacture by Rudolf Fissler GmbH, Idar-Oberstein. Overall condition is very good, with the leather in good shape, and only the aluminum cup shows extensive service wear.

This canteen would make an excellent part of any WWII German display!