Original Item: Only One Available. Although the .8 liter capacity, M31 canteens were the standard issue canteen, field medics and medical personnel were issued a larger, one and a half to two liter capacity canteen that was based on the larger canteens used by their WWI counterparts. These larger medical canteens were of identical design to the standard M31 canteens but came equipped with a different carrying harness and shoulder strap assembly.
Originally the mountain troops/medical canteens were manufactured in aluminum but later as the aluminum was required for other more critically essential items the canteens began to be manufactured in steel. With potable fluids being such an essential item for an individuals well-being the mountain troops/medical canteen must be considered as a very important piece of kit.
This is a near mint example. Aluminum cup nicely stamped JSD 1940 with brown leather harness. The wool cover is also stamped on the interior in ink JSD 40. JSD stands for the maker Gustav Reinhardt Lederwarenfabrik located at Brandenburgstr., Berlin SW 68.
The aluminum canteen is stamped 29. All straps, buckles and snaps are complete. Couple of surface cracks to the leather in places but all minor. Excellent complete example of a very hard to find canteen.