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03-15-2010 10:53 AM
# ADS
Circuit advertisement
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Re: MN44 mess tins & Canteens
Hello,
Is the messkit body marked with MN44 ?
I highly doubt it is....
Instead of aluminium molded pieces to hold the wire handle, it should be flat iron pieces. These aluminium molded piece denote an early production and the paint reminds me some 1941 to 1943 messkits. Too bad the handle on the lid has lost the strap loop.
Aluminium was used to produce messkits from the beginning to the end, with a production made from steel in 1942, 43 and 44.
During the first two years (42 and 43), the production of aluminium messkits didn't stop, but was slowed down to promote steel ones. In 1944 and 45, most of the messkits made were in aluminium. Personaly i have never seen a steel messkit 1945 dated.
Thanks
The sacrifice of life is a huge sacrifice, there is only one that is more terrible, the sacrifice of honor
In Memoriam :
Laurent Huart (1964-2008)
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Re: MN44 mess tins & Canteens
Hi, Thanks for the reply. Yes, it is a pity the loop is gone - as well as the handle becoming thinner ( my 1941 VAL kit handle is made of thicker metal ), the quality of the riveting is poor and the loop has pulled away and the rivets remain. The handle pivots are aluminium without date but the body matches the top - even the soldier's name 'Meier' is scratched into both halves. This is why I bought it, for the personality it has in being named...
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Re: MN44 mess tins & Canteens
Hello Pereto, A nice mess kit with good history. It shows it was well used - and looks like the top loop of the handle broke off with much use!
I read ( maybe on this forum ) that only the bottoms were taken back to the field kitchen for food and then if the soldat did not mark his name on it, then this is why many are mismatched ..... and then he HAD to mark his name to stop it happening next time! War does not keep everything all neat and in order!
There are collectors of mint equipment and collectors of used ones, sometimes WELL USED! .....these are what I like, I think maybe you also!
Cheers, Dan
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Re: MN44 mess tins & Canteens
Hi Danmark
I share your feelings on collecting equipment that has been used if not well used I am not a fan of anything that is in perfect un-issued condition.
Martin
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