Post war German Canteen?

[Stian]

Hi,

I have had this canteen for around 15 years and have always assumed that it was German WW2. But had a closer look at it today and could see W.A.L.52 marked on the bottle itself. I cannot find any marking on the cup or the leather.

So can it be post war?

Regards,
Stian

[Stian]

A few more pictures.

[uscob]

Sure, used up into the 1970's by several Police Forces and the Border Police. The Official Change was in 1975, but for sure some used their's longer. Even WWII dated ones were used . Once I bought about 600 of them and about 90% or more had Dates from 1945 and earlier, down to 1910 or so.

[Stian]

Hi Nico,

Thank you for your reply. I guess I will have to take it of my ww2 setup. Anyway. Nice to know.

Cheers,
Stian

[Simon1988]

I am sure it's early Bundesgrenzschutz. Have a look at this picture i found on wikimedia:
First change of BGS canteens came in the early 1960s. A canteen looking like the THW/LSHD ones but in a darkgreen color was used then.

regards Simon

[Collectinsteve]

It could very well be BGS. However, for most of the 1950s-1980s most of the Polizei equipment was a direct copy of BGS and/or BW items. Usually the only difference is the color and stamp markings. For something like this I have no personal understanding of how to tell the difference.

Steve

[uscob]

As I know, the Black Cup was used by the Police and the Olive or "BGS" green ones by the BGS.