GERMAN WWII M31 ALUMINUM CANTEEN AND CUP WITH FELT COVER FELDFLASSCHE 31

This is an original M31 aluminum canteen, with felt cover and metal cup, with a leather canteen strap.  Feldflassche 31.   The canteen has a one litre capacity. 

The grey snap hook has maker : Patent Ritter

You can see the outline of a circular maker mark on the leather canteen strap.

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.