Original German WWII Medic Aluminum M31 Canteen with Carrier & Bakelite Cup – ESB 40 Original Items

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 very good condition example of a German Medic Canteen set, and while it does have storage wear on the leather, it does not appear to have seen much actual use, if any at all.

The bakelite cup has a maker mold mark, but no letter code or date, as is typical. The marking ESB 40 appears on the neck of the canteen, on the aluminum screw cap, and on the inside of the felt cover. The makers of canteens often did not use the German 3 letter system, so this maker mark is in fact for Eduard Sommerfeld, Berlin, made in 1940. There is also a logo marked on the inside of the leather carrier, which we do not recognize.

All straps, buckles and snaps are complete, and the shoulder strap is still intact, though the leather has deteriorated. This strap design did not have a hook on the back for the belt, so it is not missing. Aside from the leather having shrunk and dried out, there is a bit of oxidation staining on the snaps of the felt cover, which also has a bit of moth.

A great example, ready to display!