Original U.S. WWII Rare M1942 Black Porcelain Enamel Canteen in 4th Pattern USMC Carrier with M1910 Cup

Original Item: Only One Available. Early in World War II, aluminum was urgently needed for aircraft. Therefore, in 1942 stainless steel canteens were substituted for aluminum and alternative materials were investigated, such as plastic for canteens. Another idea for conserving the most valuable metals was to use a lower quality metal with a porcelain enameled coating.

The result was this, the M1942 Black Porcelain Enamel Canteen.  Unfortunately, this "experiment" was not successful at all, and there were numerous complaints from the field, as the chipped enamel inside from a dent would result in water contamination, and overall the canteens were just not very resilient. They were quickly removed from service, and replaced by the standard aluminum canteens that everyone is familiar with today. They are very scarce on the market, especially with the original carrier and matching enameled canteen cup.

This set is in extremely good condition, especially the canteen itself, which has no dents and a complete enamel coating except for a rub through spot on the bottom and a couple spots on the sides. It still has the original stopper cap, retained by the correct galvanized steel chain, though the cap is cracked. The bottom is unmarked but from the canteen’s construction it almost appears as an M1910 canteen which was converted into a porcelain-covered example, and the original weld-seam is still visible under the porcelain. Ones that look like this are attributed to Vollrath Mfg. Co.

Vollrath Mfg. Co. of Sheboygan, Wisconsin was one of the Six companies contracted to manufacture the enameled canteens. As they were an enameled cookware company this was right up their alley. After these were discontinued they still made all kinds of cookware and other items for the War Effort, as well as "standard" canteens. During the war Vollrath made around 12 million canteens total, and won awards for the wartime production.

The canteen is held in their correct WWII Issue USMC "dog eared" carrier, which is in very good condition. This is the 4th version of the carrier, which is identical to the 3rd version, except that there is a sewn in "drain hole" in the bottom of the carrier. Also included is an unmarked M1910 cup.

Overall this is a great complete rare canteen set, ready to add to your collection and display!