Red canteens

[Splinterb]

I used the search function, but did not get a hit; are the red enamel canteens safe to drink from, or are there health issues with the green/ red canteens?

[HERMSDORF]

I think it is not healthy to drink from them everyday next 50 Years

Andy

[Erik]

Why would you want to drink from an old collectible canteen anyway?

I can imagine rust or enamel particles coming loose after all these years which could be swallowed. You won't die from it but I doubt it will taste good. Why not use an alu or even better, a repro or post war canteen?

Erik

[Splinterb]

The one I have is a lonely flask that has lost all the other components. Now I've found parts to restore it fully. From a collector's standpoint, it has limited value, so thought it might be OK to use at reenactments.

I passed up a similar one at a Borse Militaire in Normandy several years ago because I could only think of what was put in the enamel-

I have heard some people say it is safe, others who say they are unsafe. Just thought I'd get some thoughts.

[Erik]

I understand. It does have limited collectors value indeed. Thanks for the explanation!

As I said, I don't think it's dangerous. If you rinse the inside properly I see no problem in drinking from it.

Good luck,

Erik

[Theoderich]

Red enamel contains cadmium, so i if you want to get old and enjoy your retirement, use a aluminium canteen!

[Theoderich]

Btw, the red primer on mid/latewar canteens and messkits contains lead.

[Splinterb]

YIKES! Thanks for the heads up!!

[corporalSteiner]

red=lead=dead
right.
i love the look of the red canteens...they scream 'we're losing!'
but the water-drinking function of them never appealed.

[4th division]

I drink and eat from ww2 british messkits( lead coated), and from red enamel canteens plus green steel painted messkits. I think about 4 times a month!

The british army STILL uses tin coated pots and pans for cooking, i've got a 2006 dated example!

[corporalSteiner]

I drink and eat from ww2 british messkits( lead coated), and from red enamel canteens plus green steel painted messkits. I think about 4 times a month!

The british army STILL uses tin coated pots and pans for cooking, i've got a 2006 dated example!

might not necessarily prove as appetising trying the same thing out on dinner guests...

[B. Dietz]

I drink and eat from ww2 british messkits( lead coated), and from red enamel canteens plus green steel painted messkits. I think about 4 times a month!

The british army STILL uses tin coated pots and pans for cooking, i've got a 2006 dated example!

Because you are doing it doesn't mean it is a wise choice or that you won't have issues down the line, while lead was a great additive to the chemical make up of paints, there is a reason why it is no longer used today.

In regards to tin, I'm wondering how you are correlating this to lead. Tin lined pots are a standard in the cooking industry, they don't have issues the tin used does not contain lead. There are services to have pots re tinned.

Lead is a bad idea.