M31 Canteen 'HRE 40'

**BrodieBartfast** · 03-09-2020, 11:53 AM

Hello folks.

Another eBay buy. Very pleased with this one!

This is something my collection has been missing for some time. An example of the M31 'Feldflasche', the standard-issue canteen of the Wehrmacht. This one is dated 1940, and bears the maker's mark 'HRE' for Heinrich Ritter, Esslingen. The canteen, cover and lid are matching. The cup is also dated to 1940, but is marked 'AW'. I have not been able to discover the manufacturer. There is a marking on the belt hook - 'GAM' - and a partially-obscured date I can't make out.

All the leatherwork is in great shape, with some minor cracking to the end tab. There is one hole in the felt cover, which appears to have been caused by friction from the edge of the cup, rather than moth damage. The rubber seal is present on the inside of the lid, which is a nice plus, though I can't imagine ever using this canteen for its intended purpose. The inside of it smells 'interesting', to say the least!

Regards, B.B.

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 03-09-2020 11:53 AM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**BlackCat1982** · 03-09-2020, 12:01 PM

BB, the AW marked becker was made by Aluminiumwerk GmbH, Waldorf.

**BrodieBartfast** · 03-09-2020, 12:03 PM

by BlackCat1982

BB, the AW marked becker was made by Aluminiumwerk GmbH, Waldorf.

Many thanks! Is it common for the cup to mismatch the rest of the canteen? I'd have guessed so, considering how often they'd have been passed from man to man.

Regards, B.B.

**BlackCat1982** · 03-09-2020, 12:08 PM

I think if you ever found a matching set you'd be doing very well. I have never seen one. Not saying that it isn't possible but items got separated or replaced if lost damaged.

**JPhilip** · 03-10-2020, 12:10 AM

Hello,
That's a decent early war Feldflasche but IMO the cup has been repainted
Thanks

**BrodieBartfast** · 03-10-2020, 12:11 AM

by JPhilip

Hello,
That's a decent early war Feldflasche but IMO the cup has been repainted
Thanks

I had my suspicions about the cup. It looks the part, at least. If I does start to bother me in future, finding a replacement shouldn't be too difficult.

Regards, B.B.

**JPhilip** · 03-10-2020, 12:19 AM

by BrodieBartfast

If I does start to bother me in future, finding a replacement shouldn't be too difficult.

Hello again,
No, it should not be too difficult to find another example of early cup. As this one is not matching and repainted, it wouldn't be heartbreaking to replace it...this said, if you want another 1940 dated example, it could take some time to do so...unless you're lucky
Thanks

**BrodieBartfast** · 03-10-2020, 12:20 AM

by JPhilip

Hello again,
No, it should not be too difficult to find another example of early cup. As this one is not matching and repainted, it wouldn't be heartbreaking to replace it...this said, if you want another 1940 dated example, it could take some time to do so...unless you're lucky
Thanks

I'll keep an eye out for a 'HRE 40' example to match the rest of the canteen. Until then, this one will do. It's an authentic cup, at least. Even if it has been repainted.

B.B.

**Neil Hever** · 03-11-2020, 01:07 AM

I like it. Regarding the cup, I have what appears to be an overpainted cup that appears to have been a period re-issue. It is olive over black. So the repaint may be period - just an opinion. NH

**BrodieBartfast** · 03-11-2020, 01:21 AM

by Neil Hever

I like it. Regarding the cup, I have what appears to be an overpainted cup that appears to have been a period re-issue. It is olive over black. So the repaint may be period - just an opinion. NH

The paint certainly has age to it. It could have been done in the field, or back in the 70's by a reenactor. I suppose I'll never know for sure.

Regards, B.B.