GERMAN M31 ALUMINUM CANTEEN WITH ORIGINAL SOLDIER MARKINGS DATED 1941

This original aluminum M31 water bottle is the standard 750 ml canteen used throughout the WW2. It has a black plastic screw-on lid.  The canteen is marked and dated: L&SL 41 indicating: Linnepe & Schiffer, Lüdenscheid in 1941.

It has the original German soldier's handmade markings scratched into the aluminum with the following:

W. Sch
10449
San Ers. Komp II
Stettin

Sanitäter Ersatz Kompanie:   Medic Replacement Company. 
Stettin is in the former German area of Pommern.  It is now Szczecin, Poland. 

A unique one of a kind item.

Introduced in March 1931 the standard issue M31 canteen was based on the WWI M1893 and M1907 canteens with some small changes. Originally the M31 canteens were manufactured in aluminum but later we manufactured in steel when aluminum became scarce.

In late 1940, with Germany entering into the North African campaign, the standard brown felt cover and leather retaining straps and carrying harness of the M31 canteen were altered to an olive drab.

Even later in 1941 the felt covers were replaced with plastic wood covering which were more durable.

When issued the canteens came with an integral carrying straps and harness normally secured to the bread bag.