Gear: German Bundeswehr Mess Tin

Just like a Bundeswehr canteen I've described earlier, this Western Germany mess kit predates reunification of Germany and totally kicks ass if you compare it's quality and attention to details to similar designs of Cold War era. And just like that canteen, this one is also one of my favorites.

The concept of kidney profile, two- or three-part mess tin predates World War I, and seems to originate in XIX-century Prussia. After World War II it became widespread across the Central and Eastern Europe, and in Cold War era similar design was used by armies of at least Poland, Russia, Western and Eastern Germany, Finnland and Sweden (though Swedish kit has oval, not kidney profile). I never had Finnish mess tin, but as far as other listed above are concerned, Bundeswehr mess tin is a winner - all due to small details.

This one is 80's model, I think. On first glance there's nothing sophisticated about it - it's simple, sturdy aluminum alloy kit, consisting of main pot, lid "pan" with handle and a cup insert. The hoop has a curve for easier hanging. Nothing peculiar - until you start using it or just look closer.

The handle of the lid snaps into special socket in main pot's bottom, so it doesn't clank or wiggle around.

Near the base of the handle is a slit for webbing, so it won't slide off even if hastily fastened.
	The handle also has a loop near the tip, through which you can put a branch or a bayonet to extend your hold.
Tip of the handle can be put into a slit in a cup insert, so you can carry it around with a hot content in both containers.
	The hoop locks in place in "hang over fire" position, so the whole thing does not wobble sideways.
Bottom part of the pan has a bevel, snugly fitting on top of the main pot. This way you can have a lid for a main pot even when the pan itself is full.

Perhaps none of these details will save your life, but they are quite handy.

The mess tin hoop cannot be rotated freely - it's socket is shaped to block it in two positions: facing directly down and facing front. Hoop doesn't lock in either of this positions (unlike in "up" position), and I must admit I don't know what is the intended function of this blockade. My guess would be to use downward position for transportation (hoop can be easily fastened in this position to keep it from rattling).

 

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SPECIFICATIONS:
Weight: 494g total (248g main pot, 149g lid pan, 97g cup insert)
Capacity: 1.5l main pot, 0.5l lid pan / cup insert
Weight to capacity ratio: 329.3

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