Today we'll be building on the last post, and showing off the matching THW field canteen that was issued along with the THW mess kit.
You can read about the matching mess kit here:
https://sharky-fourbees.blogspot.com/2018/06/bundesanstalt-technisches-hilfswerk-thw.html
Sometime in the 1960's, the THW ( Bundesanstalt Technisches Hilfswerk), started issuing this "new style" canteen, replacing the old, WW2 styled, post-war canteens. These "new" canteens were the same style and type that were adopted for the Bundeswehr, but were painted in the "Civil Defense Gray". These gray canteens were issued to nearly all of the various Civil Defense agencies, in addition to the THW
The canteen comes with a top cup and a bottom bowl. The canteen is carried inside.
The entire set fits nicely together and is secured with a spring loaded latch.
The lower bowl has a synthetic gasket around the inside of the rim, which prevents it's use over flame. In fact, I have never seen this type of canteen with cups, showing any evidence of actually having been used for cooking over flame. It was used for serving only.
There is clip that is used to suspend the canteen from the D-ring on a belt, jacket back, or more often, on the bread bag. The attached leather strap is used to attach the canteen through the leather tab on the bread bag (to prevent it from swinging).
This canteen is in unissued condition, and is dated 1988. It is marked PSL, which is the manufacturers 3 letter code. Each cup, and the canteen itself, are individually marked.
The initials PSL indicate that the manufacturer is: Paul Schulze & Co., of Lübeck, West Germany.
Let's take a closer look.
The other day I was rummaging through the bunker, and noticed that I have a pile of old West German, THW gear, that I haven't shown on the blog. So with that in mind, I figured I'd start with the basic field kit. So here it goes.
Let's start with the classic Mess Kit. We'll take a look at the other parts of the grouping in upcoming posts.
This particular mess kit is in new and unissued condition. It is dated 1988, which is just before East and West Germany re-unified in 1989.
This style of mess kit is nearly identical to the original, WW2, M31 German mess kits, but there are a couple of distinct differences. The first is the style of bail lugs and the height. The post-war kits are about 1/4 inch taller than the WW2 version. Other than that, it's the same kit the WW2 troops were carrying.
Originally the THW, or German Federal Agency For Technical Relief as it is called in English, issued out a bread bag, canteen, mess kit, and silverware set that every trooper carried into the field. These days, standard, pre-packaged, field rations are issued out. These new rations do not require the use of mess ware like this, so these old style kits are no longer issued.
This kit stamped PSL 88 on each component. PSL are the initials of the manufacturer, and 88 is for the year, 1988.
The initials PSL indicate that the manufacturer is: Paul Schulze & Co., of Lübeck, West Germany.
The entire mess kit is strapped together with a black leather belt. This belt was issued with this kit and is stamped BUND PSL. BUND indicates this is official federal issue, and PSL is the manufacturer. These belts are virtually identical to the WW2 versions.
The mess kit has the bottom "pot", an inner "bowl", and the top "cup".
The "cup" can be used on its own, or used as a lid for the pot. The handle of the "cup" can be used to lift and hold the bowl.
Traditionally these mess kits would be strapped to the outer loops of the bread bag.
In my opinion these old German mess kits never go out of style. They are highly sought after by both collectors and "bushcrafters" alike. I myself, collect them, and use them!
Let's take a closer look at this beautiful kit.
