Original WWII German Wehrmacht M31 Feldflasche (Drinking Bottle) Dated 1941

Original WWII German Wehrmacht M31 Feldflasche (Drinking Bottle)
Dated 1941 –An original Second World War German Wehrmacht M31 Feldflasche (drinking bottle/canteen), dated 1941, retaining its original leather carrying strap, even if a little brittle.

This is the standard pattern canteen issued to German Army (Wehrmacht) soldiers throughout the Second World War. The 1941 date is stamped around the neck of the bottle, confirming its wartime manufacture. The bottle retains its original leather harness, an increasingly difficult feature to find complete on surviving examples. The leather has naturally become slightly brittle with age, as is common with over 80-year-old original leather equipment, but it remains present and displays well. Early M31 canteens were typically made from aluminium with a felt cover and leather straps before wartime material shortages led to later production changes.

Features
Original German Wehrmacht M31 Feldflasche
Dated 1941 around the neck of the bottle
Original leather

Honest wartime wear and age-related patina
A example of standard German field equipment
Historical Background

Introduced in 1931, the M31 Feldflasche became the standard drinking bottle issued to German soldiers throughout the war. Designed to be lightweight, durable and practical, it accompanied troops on every front, from the deserts of North Africa to the harsh winters of the Eastern Front and the fighting in Western Europe.

The canteen was carried suspended from the soldier’s bread bag or equipment belt and provided an essential source of drinking water during operations. Early-war examples such as this 1941-dated bottle generally feature aluminium construction and leather strapping, while later wartime examples increasingly used alternative materials due to shortages.

Condition

The canteen is in good original condition for its age, displaying honest service wear consistent with wartime use.

Original 1941 dated neck stamp.
Original leather .
Leather is slightly brittle due to age but remains intact.
A well-preserved example with an attractive original appearance.

Please examine the photographs carefully as they form part of the description.

Collector’s Note

Original 1941-dated Wehrmacht canteens with their complete leather strapping are becoming increasingly difficult to source. Their survival in largely complete condition makes them highly desirable for collectors of Second World War militaria, military equipment and historical displays.

Important Notice

This item is offered strictly as a historical collectable for research, preservation and educational purposes. It is sold because of its historical significance and does not represent or imply any support for, or endorsement of, the ideology or actions of the Nazi regime.

A genuine and increasingly scarce piece of Second World War military history, ideal for collectors, museums and historical displays.