1945 dated German mess kits- how many variations?

[Mike Steves]

As a 45 dated specific collector, I am curious if anyone knows the different types of 45 dated german mess kits there are. I have 2 MN45 dated ones in 2 different variations.

First is the MN45 style that retains the handle. These are painted green, and are made in the late style like the steel mess kits. They usually have a circle imprinted on the handle where the date usually goes, and are MN45 marked on the bails:



The next type is the MN45 dated style that have no handle on the lid- these are also aluminum and marked MN45 on the bails. All of this type I have ever seen were bare aluminum with no paint- not sure if this is original or not, but thats my best guess on that:



Wondering if anyone has any other styles or makers that are dated 45- I know the blue enameled ones are late, but those are not marked- I am specifically speaking of marked variations. Thanks!

[reidmuller]

I would say the second one is an unfinished one from the factory picked up by a GI as he passed through as they are exactly the same but no handle or paint wich would be the last two procces to go through i presume

[CWP]

I like the first green painted MN45 mess tin very much, are these hard to find?

Chris P.

[djpool]

Hi Mike,

I don't know if your looking specifically for 45 dated pieces or messkits in the style you've shown. I have 3 messkits in that style heres number 1. An undated piece. Jim

[djpool]

Heres one dated MN 45.It has a separate internal dish.

[djpool]

Heres a steel version dated 43.

[djpool]

Heres a steel version dated 43.

heres the inside of the lid.

[Glenn Barbaritz]

boy Mike. only into collecting '45 dated pieces. some would think that is very percular. nice mess tins, never saw a '45 dated one. that is definatly a hard year to aquire. if I ever see any '45 dated stuff I'll be sure to remember you. Glenn

[W Petz]

I have found many of the second type 45 messkits at various flea markets throughout Germany. I believe they are late war production intentionally made without handles or paint. Bill

I would say the second one is an unfinished one from the factory picked up by a GI as he passed through as they are exactly the same but no handle or paint wich would be the last two procces to go through i presume

[Mike Steves]

45 items

Yes Glenn, very odd of me to only collect 45 dated stuff- keeps me from buying a whole helluva lot I can say! Plus, look at how small my collection shelf needs to be

Mr. Petz, next time you are at the flohmarket in Germany, pick up a few of those mess kits with no handles, I will take them off your hands

djpool- does your MN45 mess kit have a circle imprinted on the handle area where the date usually is? I have seen this circle on MN44 dated mess kits as well.


FYI, I have been told by someone previous of a style that has no handle but still retains the part the loop goes through, and it is dated 45 as well, but not MN45. He is not sure what the code was, but said it looked original! Thanks for all the pics and info!

[CWP]

Can someone show a photo of the circle imprinted on the handle area?

[Mike Steves]

Sure Chris:

[djpool]

Steve I didn't find that circle on any of mine.Jim

[W Petz]

Mike,

Here are four that I dug out of one of my storage boxes - Bill

[Mike Steves]

Nice stack Bill- any of them 45 dated? It appears 2 are the same style as mine, and 2 are the other cast bails.

Jim- I don't find the circle on all of the MN kits for some reason, just random. I first thought it was the round MN stamp like you see on steel canteen bottles.