Gear: German Bundeswehr Canteen

 

This is an old '87 model, predating reunification of Germany after Cold War. As far as I know it was used by Western Germany army back then, and even quarter of a century later it remains one of my favourites due to it's thoughtful design and exceptional quality.

	It's a three-part kit composed of two aluminum alloy cups and a canteen.
Upper cup is full-metal and has a handle, so it can be easily used for cooking by the campfire or over a stove.
	Lower cup has a bundle of permanently attached canvas/leather straps, and incorporates a seal, so while it can be used as a container for hot food or tea, it's probably not the brightest idea to put it directly into a fire.
Canteen has a mouth considerably wider than standard US canteen, closed with the NBC cap (perhaps not always, but I only have such version). As a clumsy nerd I'm often finding myself struggling with canteen caps - I rotate it, loop starts to twist and get in a way, so I have to correct it... well, not in this canteen. Neither main or NBC cap are permanently welded with a loop, and they can be freely rotated around. The loop itself can be easily moved in it's metal mounting as well.
	Leather strap with a spring-closure holds everything fast together when closed, and a seal integrated into a lower cup completely prevents it from rattling.
I'd love to see it's remake, made with modern materials and technology. Compare the rough thread of this canteens neck to, say, almost perfectly precise Nalgene thread and you'll see what I mean. Nevertheless I still really, REALLY like it - basically, just add a spoon and you have basic water/cooking needs covered.

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SPECIFICATIONS:
Weight: 585 g total (212g canteen, 216g bottom cup, 158g handle cup)
Capacity: 0.75 l canteen, 0.6 l bottom cup, 0.5 l handle cup
Canteen weight/capacity ratio: 283 g/l

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MORE PHOTOS:


WEBBING:



MOUTH:



NESTING CUPS:



SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON TO BUNDESWEHR MESS TIN: