Help Identifying Kriegsmarine Container by Plath

[lanners55]

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[lanners55]

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[lanners55]

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[lanners55]

Can anyone identify this strange Kriegsmarine container?
Bearing a brass plate marked Kriegsmarine 1942/13345 and with the base marked c. Plath Hamburg 1942, it appears to be very well machine made in stainless steel and no doubt had a strap at some time to secure the lid to the base.
The lower half contains what appears to be a dried and compacted substance like graphite crystals.


Your thoughts would be much appreciated.

Best regards,

Simon

[lanners55]

Any thoughts?

[glaser]

This small container makes me think about the coal miner self rescue apparatus M 20 made by DRAEGER. On June 21, 1981, U.S. coal mine operators were required to
make available to each underground coal miner a self-contained 1 hour
self-rescuer. I am surprised to read the C. Plath markings, I didn't know that they were into to rescue equipment? An intresting piece, but not yet observed on KM pictures. No idea if this is original or "upgraded", look forward to comments from fellow KM collectors. M 20 self rescuer DRAEGER escape apparatus postwar.jpg

[amiklic1]

DRAEGER was producer of rescue equipment used by firefighters and other professionals (breathing apparatus), so it's possible that they were also involved in other rescue equipment.

[glaser]

AMIKLIC1 did you ment PLATH? The item presented is made by PLATH, not by DRAEGER.

[JAndrew]

Drager still makes rebreathing and filter devices used in anesthesia equipment and diving equipment. They made a lot of the devices that the K-verband used. I suspect the material in the container is soda lime to scavenge carbon monoxide and dioxide. Just a guess but this material is still used for that purpose. Plath made navigation instruments such as compasses and sextants but during the war did go into other areas. Both companies are still in existence so perhaps one could contact them and see if they have any information on this item. Identical items are still being produced under license by other countries as already stated.
JAndrew