Mess Kit Opinions

**Rossi** · 10-13-2014, 09:12 PM

Hey Guys,

I have had a few of these that were banged up, beat up and used up. What are your opinions on this HRE 42 model with strap? Doing a little recon here on a piece for a fellow collector. Semper Fi

- Paint? Original or Repaint? My vote is repaint but not sure. Looking at stud below HRE42 looks like paint is thin. But then looking at hinge and bottom of piece it looks original? Unsure but my gut says repaint. Handle looks like thin paint. Also look at dent in top of cover as it looks like that was painted over. If orginal paint might that not have flaked when dented? Was it blasted and repainted?
- HRE 42 I believe is a viable maker from my past knowledge? Confirm?
- What do you think of tropical strap?

Thanks much for weighing in.

Rossi

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 10-13-2014 09:12 PM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**MAP** · 10-13-2014, 09:49 PM

Paint looks a little lite to me but I've always had a hard time with these. Been looking to add one to my collection for a long time. I only have a 1956 dated one at the moment.

Let's wait for someone with more knowledge chime in.

I think HRE is C.W. Motz u. Co., Brandenburg an der Havel

Regards,

Michael

**MP44tom** · 10-14-2014, 06:24 AM

Hi

Paint looks ok to me to be honest.... after 41 the color of mess kits were more olive green ! if it was repainted they did a great job !

HRE = Heinrich Ritter, Esslingen (mess kits and canteens have capital letters, and (normally) don't have 3 letter codes (small letters)

tropical strap is an equipment strap, and not a mess kit straps, but sometimes these were used (if they fit, because mess kit straps are longer then equipment straps.

Tom

**Rossi** · 10-14-2014, 07:25 AM

Thanks Tom....Appreciate the feedback. The guy selling this is asking $265.00 US. I told my buddy to pass.

by MP44tom

Hi

Paint looks ok to me to be honest.... after 41 the color of mess kits were more olive green ! if it was repainted they did a great job !

HRE = Heinrich Ritter, Esslingen (mess kits and canteens have capital letters, and (normally) don't have 3 letter codes (small letters)

tropical strap is an equipment strap, and not a mess kit straps, but sometimes these were used (if they fit, because mess kit straps are longer then equipment straps.

Tom