alum drinking cup

[corporalSteiner]

can anyone enlighten re this maker. was each imperial soldier issued one of these? why too, then, the enamel type mug, with side handle; did a soldier get one of each, or either? such an alum model continues after WW1 and into the reichswehr. thanks in advance.

[corporalSteiner]

2

[Hoss]

Hi Corp
What you have there is the second pattern ally cup the first didn't have the pouring spout. Both of these up to immediate mobilisation would often have regimental markings.
Mid '15 they changed to a cup made from tin later finally the enameled double tin drinking cup.
Its not unusual to find a soldier using a very early cup even late 1918 due to casualties and reissue.
You cup is really nice with a prominent utility maker and I always like to see those '14 dates.
The least desirable for me but yet demand higher prices are the late war enamel, certainly the ones dated '18 many of which remained unissued.

Eric

[corporalSteiner]

thanks eric, brilliant.i like this part of waf; not nearly as loud as wehrmacht equipment forum can sometimes get.

[Chip M]

One minor correction to what Eric has nicely said. The 1915 replacements for the aluminum models were tinned steel. The need for aluminum in other, more important areas of the war effort, caused it to be withdrawn and replaced by steel. It did not come back into use until the war ended, but did so due to its superior properties when compared to enameled steel.

Chip

[corporalSteiner]

thanks very much, chip. appreciate both your thoughts on this item.

[ravrick]

Hi,
This is an interesting thread, I have a similar cup with the makers marks:

BASSE & SELVE
14
ALTENA

What sort of value do these cups have?

Cheers,
Rick

[Chip M]

Rick,

You can currently buy imperial German cups (aluminum, tinned steel and enameled steel) on Ebay in the range of $45-$65......more if they are unit marked or in particularly nice condition.

Chip

[ravrick]

Thanks Chip,
much appreciated,
Rick