Original German WWI & WWII Field Equipment Lot – 3 Items Original Items

Original Items: Only One Lot of 3 Available. This is a wonderful opportunity, especially for the new collectors out there wanting to add a beautiful assortment of items to their collection. Whether you are wanting to get into collecting or just add to already existing collections, you do not want to miss out on this lot.

The Items Featured In This Lot:

– WWI Model 1915 Canteen With Simplified Strap: 1915 with “simplified strap” (not all had full straps), just around the neck with a large spring clip stitched on it, no body harness. There are signs of heavy use and wear, the stopper has deteriorated and is broken and there is tearing by one of the side button snaps.

– M31 Bread Bag: Heavy use and wear with minor damage present. There is an ink stamp on the carry strap Otto Reichel 1937. Several items of fieldgear were carried over from the First World War by the German military. One of the most well-known is the breadbag. This was a small bag which fastened to the belt and was used as a general purpose carry all bag for the most basic needs of a soldier. The same basic design was used for nearly 100 years by the German military, police and political organizations.

During WWII, the standard pattern bag was known as the “M31”. This featured minor changes from its WWI predecessor. The SA, HJ and a plethora of political and government organizations also had their own models but those will not be dealt with here. Most varied only in color and the number of loops on the flap from the standard M31.

Breadbags came in a variety of colors and fabrics. Generally, early and pre-War bags are made from cotton canvas which tends toward a gray or fieldgray color. 1940-42 dated bags are often more of a khaki-olive. At the same time, cotton shortages led to the introduction of a coarser linen or hemp canvas. This fabric is usually olive green, though shades of khaki and brown exist.
In 1940, an all-cloth bag was issued for use in hot climates. The bag was the same as the standard M31 except that the leather straps and tabs were replaced with cotton webbing pieces.

Late in the War, the M44 Breadbag was introduced. It was simplified for faster production and a small pocket was added to hold the rifle cleaning kit. Finally, a Volksturm model was made in 1944-45.

– WWII German U-Boat Einheitsdichtigkeitsmesser Salinity Tester Kit Box: These kits were used to test the water on U-Boats as well as other naval vessels. A complete kit comes complete with a hygrometer, a test tube and a can containing litmus papers and operating instructions dated. BOX ONLY Box measurement: 15” x 4 ½” x 2 ½”

These are all very lovely items that come ready for display!