Gerry Cans in the BW

[Gordon Craig]

Gentlemen,
Hugh Zillman has asked that I post some pictures of a Gerry can from his collection. He has some questions about the markings on the can and would like to ask for some answers to his questions. I have responded to him via email but I will not comment here. Lets hear your responses to his questions.
1-There are two sets of numbers on the can. The NATO stock number at the bottom and another long number starting with UN at the top. What is the number at the top? Its purpose etc.
2-The can is marked with a large white K. What is the purpose of the K marking?
I think that cover what he asked me to include. If it doesn't he can add whatever I have left out.

Regards,

Gordon

[Gordon Craig]

A closer look at the top number.

[Gordon Craig]

A closer look at the NATO stock number. It is also marked "BUND" which I have always heard BW collectors refer to as a marking used outside of the BW. Any comments on that?

[Gordon Craig]

The "K" markings.

[Asbjoern]

Although I`ve never seen that kind of number stamped in a jerrycan that looks like a order or contract number, especially as it contains the `88 as year of produktion.
Cans of this manufacturer with the bear-logo are relatively widespread ... they even produced for the german postal service. This cans are marked "BP" for "Bundes Post" and are painted in RAL 6014 gelbolive too. So its possible that this one is from BGS or police although it´s in BW colours and not in the typical dark green (Tannengrün) of the BGS and police vehicles...

Regards,

Jens

[Gordon Craig]

Jens,

Thanks very much for your response. Good for other restorers to know the correct colour of paint to use.

Regards,

Gordon

[Hugh Zillmann old]

Hello Gentlemen,

Gordon, thanks for posting the pictures.

Jens, thanks for your input. I looked at the 'can again last night and the colour looks to me to be more a "faded" Polzei grun than BW gelbolive. I say this because I placed a well-used BW mess tin next to it and the colour difference appeared quite clear. I could be mistaken, I often am.

The suggestion of an "order number" makes sense, but it does seem a little obscure. Jens, any idea what the letters "UN" and "BAM" may stand for? I've racked my brain on this and cannot think of a German-language descriptive that would apply. Any help you can give on this would be much appreciated.

I'm still a little confused over the use of the Nato numbers on something which may never have been intended for military use. Indeed,the whole Nato-numbering concept puzzles me. In Australia, during the 1970's, we used Nato code numbers on our locally-produced webbing (Australia's Nato number is/was "66"), but this country has never been a Nato member! Our police force (s) equipment never had any Nato numbering affixed. I could conceive of BGS usage for Nato numbering, because, in the event of hostilities breaking-out along the border, they were subordinated to military authority, but why it would be ascribed to ordinary Lander (sorry for the absence of the umlaut) police escapes me.

Anyway, as I said to Gordon at the start of all this, this Jerry can has always intrigued me.

All the best,

Hugh

P.S. Jens, love your vehicles (in the other thread). Perhaps we could "get together" sometime and stage a convoy?

Cheers,

H

[Guardian 5]

Apples and oranges really, but here's a picture of a BW Water Can for comparison.

You should have seen the look on my Frau's face when I brought this one home - priceless!

TJ

[Guardian 5]

A close up of the markings on a container currently called a "friendly Northern European can" and in the bad old days a "Jerry" Can

TJ

[Hugh Zillmann old]

Hello Thomas,

My Wife was with me when I bought the Jerry can, so nothing really surprises her. In fact, she helped me look through a warehouse full of them to see if we could find another!

Thanks for the photos. This probably clears up a doubt I had about cans like mine being used for transporting things other than fuel ie. water.

Which brings me to the "K". It's my belief this stands for "Kraftstoff", ie motor fuel (like the 181 lives on). It's my belief that this was done to avoid putting diesel into vehicles that didn't 'run' on the stuff. So some cans are marked with the "K" so that we don't put the wrong fuel in. How's that proposition sound?

Regards,

Hugh

[Asbjoern]

Jens, any idea what the letters "UN" and "BAM" may stand for? I've racked my brain on this and cannot think of a German-language descriptive that would apply. Any help you can give on this would be much appreciated.

I'm still a little confused over the use of the Nato numbers on something which may never have been intended for military use.
All the best,

H

The problem with these letters is that they may be abreviations ... or not . These may be the coded denotation for the department which ordered the item or a coding for the kind of contract or even a manufacturrers code like on WH items...and they changed the systems sometimes. So its a bit difficult do more ten giving an opinion what it might be ... we would have to find someone who worked in this special procurement branch to understand it 100%!

The NSN on a possible BGS item doesn`t confuse me that much as it is a item which is interchanable with a BW item ... in case of conflict all these bund-organisations would have to bee integrated into the defence system with one logistics chain.

Regards,

Jens

[Hugh Zillmann old]

Hello Jens,

Thanks for the astute advice.

What about the "K"? Is it for "Kraftstoff", or am I clutching at straws?

The reason I'm looking for information is so I can decide whether to display the 'can with BW items, or whether it will stay with my BGS display (sometimes the 181 "doubles" - quite nicely I might add - as a BGS vehicle).

Cheers,

Hugh

[speedytop]

Hi,

please excuse, that I disturb your discussion, but this is a normal Bw canister in a correct (aged) colour.

I think, that the "K" is not official, it is part of an ordinal system, may be in a military service station.
One can paint it over, and another soldier puts another sign on it, no problem.

Uwe

[Hugh Zillmann old]

Hello Uwe,

Thank you for your contribution. You have certainly not "disturbed" this conversation (as far as I am concerned, anyway).
I am thrilled that it is BW for, as you might imagine, I use it for display in conjunction with a BW Typ 181. I like things to "look right and be right".

Regards,
Hugh

[brumike58]

Hiya
The long number is for shipping the full item as freight. It explains various things to a certified shipper so dangerous goods regulations can be observed. For example the "3A1" is the type of container (steel), the "300" is the packing number to be used, and the "88" is the year of manufacture. Can't remember the rest sorry!
Boring I know but I hope it helps to answer your question.
Best Regards