Early mint and matching SMM34 canteen

[Erik]

Nice one Mulon!

Here's mine, an ESB 34 number matching and stamped Reichspostdirektion (RPD) Berlin 5 35 canteen.

I assume that many of this (military)equipment was although likely produced, stamped and delivered to the Postal Service, actually made to be put to use by or be available to the Armed Forces on a later date. The whole Postal Service routine was I think one way to start mass producing field gear in the early thirties and to bypass Versailles Treaty limitations. I think many of these bottles were delivered to the Postal Service but were then put in storage for possible future military use.

Erik

[MULON]

Erik, what a stunning canteen you have
And thanks....really thanks for your info's

[MP44_tom]

Erik is correct

It was also a way to start to mass produce weapons......

I also have a DRP marked Mauser K98 (mauser banner 1933) and a DRP marked RG34 cleaning kit.....

Tom
www.mp44.nl

[MULON]

Thanks, this is an important info for me....so this DRP was for "bypass" the imposition of the Versailles Treaty, are all agree with this theory?

[-Decerf-]

A very nice canteen with an ever nicer history to it, congratulations !

[Erik]

Thanks, this is an important info for me....so this DRP was for "bypass" the imposition of the Versailles Treaty, are all agree with this theory?

I am not saying that all equipment with DRP stamps would strictly have been stamped with the forementioned intention. I am sure some of it would have been supplied to and actually used by the DRP but I think that the actual need for militiary equipment for the DRP was limited. Sure postal services are vital state services and in need of protection but again I think this was also a cover for starting mass production of military goods.

Erik

[Jan B]

Superb examples showed here by Giancarlo and Erik!

Regards

Jan

[Achtung!]

Really nice canteen! The leatherwork just looks stunning. I like it.