The Bakelite Canteen Cup: When does it first appear?

[Forseti]

Dear Gentlemen!

When I started collecting many, many years ago, I allways thought that those black Bakelite Cups appeared at the end of war, but meanwhile I also found those cups on early canteens - and so I wonder when did they first appear and why?

I know that the metal cups had been produced till wars end, and had been made from Aluminium first and emailierten Stahlblech later. But why did some producers choose metal cups, while others used Bakelite items? Is there a regulation known or does anyone have an idea?

Thank you

best wishes
Fors

[HERMSDORF]

Hello,

The most early Bakelite Cups appear on 1941 / 1942 Canteens and often mounted on Tropical or bigger (1 Liter) Canteens and later they can be find on a width Range of Manufacturers. Both, Metal and Bakelite Cups were used throughout the War till the End..

Best Regards

Andy

[Forseti]

Hallo Hermsdorf!

Thanks for your input. This is my observation too. For example I have an 1940 marked canteen with bakelite cup that is original belonging together. Maker RFL 40.

It is a small normal size canteen.

My question is still, why did they produce different types of cups? I could not find any regulation or so. I know that there are allways differences between makers in total, and that the material changed (to cheaper zinc/iron etc) while war went on. But I do not understand why they used total different cups during 5 years of war. If it would be a free choice a manufacturer would allways choose the bakelite because it is much cheaper and a much more simple construction...


Thanks for your input anyway

[Gebirgsjgr]

I hope you get an answer from someone who actually has studied this at great length. My presumption has always been that the standard was the large black painted aluminum cup for the standard model and the small black painted aluminum cup for the medical model (also used for the mountain and cavalry). And then during the build-up leading into the Eastern Campaign in 1941, they were hard pressed to find ways to make enough equipment (including cups) or find enough materials (i.e. substitute bakelite for aluminum) or find additional manufacturers. I feel that 1941 is the date that they appear but I base that upon photographs, not artifacts (since the cups were misplaced and replaced constantly after they were issued. I also note from the the photos from the 1941/42 time period that a lot of the cups are missing. As you know, the bakelite cups do not have a retaining loop on them so either the solders were losing their cups or they were putting them in their breadbags.

The aluminum cups did continue to be produced (painted different colors than black), though they were replaced by painted and enameled steel.

I know that there are others on this forum that are far deeper into this subject area than I am, so hopefully they can confirm or correct my statements.

As far as why the different types - I don't think the German military cared as long as there was a cup to drink from.

Regards,

Matt