Political messkit ?

[Ir 143]

Hello, I'n not sure about the category, political, Wehrmacht equipment ? I just picked up this messkit. The color looks the same to both pan and pot but the maker and the date are not the same. The pot isRZM marked. Wich organizations can have use this kind of messkit ? Best regards.
IMG_20200731_203011596.jpg

[rbno]

The bottom part is from a political mess kit. The top part is from a military mess kit.

As I understand it, RZM marked mess kits were generic in that they could be used by any of the political organizations. The exception being the rarely seen black SS mess kit from the pre-war years.

Alen Davidson

[Ir 143]

The bottom part is from a political mess kit. The top part is from a military mess kit.

As I understand it, RZM marked mess kits were generic in that they could be used by any of the political organizations. The exception being the rarely seen black SS mess kit from the pre-war years.

Alen Davidson

Thank you. I have a SS one for some years, the pan was clearly marked with RZM and SS runes.

[Erich B.]

According to the RZM instruction description, the NSDAP Party Leaders carried a slightly larger mess kit with the handle held to the upper tray with 3 rivets. The SA kit was slightly smaller and had 2 rivets. There are SS RZM marked mess kits which were produced for the SS and there is no mention of the SS using the SA or PL pattern in the RZM periodicals. Both the area where the handle is riveted and one of the wire bale attachments on the main can should have matching RZM markings if it's an original RZM produced piece.
Erich

[Ir 143]

Thank you, so it can be a SA one ?

[Erich B.]

The bottom part could be. The top part with the iron handle riveted on is from a military mess kit.
Erich

[Ir 143]

The bottom part could be. The top part with the iron handle riveted on is from a military mess kit.
Erich

Thank you, it's was I also supposed. The paint of the two parts is is same condition, maybe a period mismatch ?

[Erich B.]

It's possible that someone put the two unmatched pieces together for use, but they wouldn't have been issued in this configuration. Also, the reason mess kits have a year date on them is because they were intended to be used for 2 years only and then were supposed to be replaced (per the RZM production instructions). So it wouldn't make sense for anyone to have a mess kit with 2 different dates.
Erich

[Ir 143]

It's possible that someone put the two unmatched pieces together for use, but they wouldn't have been issued in this configuration. Also, the reason mess kits have a year date on them is because they were intended to be used for 2 years only and then were supposed to be replaced (per the RZM production instructions). So it wouldn't make sense for anyone to have a mess kit with 2 different dates.
Erich

Thank you. So it also respond to the question, "why are military field gear dated".

[Erich B.]

I think most items might have been dated to keep track of contract fulfillment and production. For example, a steel military belt buckle that's dated wouldn't have to be replaced.
Erich