Feldflasche: sani or gebirgsjäger?

[Peter Moelans]

Is this 1l. canteen a sanitäter or Gebirgsjäger issue? Or something else? How to tell the difference? Both types seem to have reenforced covers....

[GJR100]

Hi Peter,

This would be considered a GJ type, it's the larger one of the canteens. It uses the clip for attachment as the Sani one would have used a hook for quick release.
Many times the GJ are seen wearing the standard Sani canteen but equiped with a clip. I have a very nice example with the GJ nametag still in place, but ... it's still packed so I can't reach it.

MfG,
Bart

[Willi Z.]

The Sani type is the 1 liter one with the harness assembly. Here is a quick view of a mint pre-war one.

[BergführerKiser]

Grüß Gott Peter,

As Bart mentioned earlier, the standard GJ canteen was a modified medical canteen with a spring clip instead of the hook and shoulder strap (like in Willi's photo above). Some collectors beleive that your type of canteen may have been a DAK issue. I have several like it also. Here are some photos of the standard GJ canteen:

[BergführerKiser]

Side view with spring clip:

[BergführerKiser]

Rear view:

[Willi Z.]

I agree Patrick (nice to see you on the forum BTW) that yours is a perfect example of GJ issue. I think the first ones are just larger canteens, not Sani or GJ. I have one just like it, except that it is with webbing and has a greener tint to the wool. Will dig it out and post later.

[Willi Z.]

Here is my 1 liter Sani canteen next to another 1 liter. Note the olive tint to the wool and the web fittings. With a '42 date, I have always considered this to be a tropical (perhaps DAK) as compared to the post-'43 dated ones with webbing, which are most likely just later war. I know this could lead to quite some discussion and debate. But, many advanced field gear collectors I know consider '41 and '42 dated webbed, with other features such as a olive tint or olive painted aluminum cups, canteens to be DAK issue (early tropical if one likes). Compared to late-war stuff with a darker olive tint and olive painted steel.

[Willi Z.]

Back view of the 1 liter.

[Peter Moelans]

Thanks Guys! I'll consider this one as an 'all-unit' piece.

[Colorado]

Willi - I have one identical to yours and another with the harness and the hook on back. It is an ESB40 in unissued condition with black leather. What would be the difference between the harnessed ones with and without the rear hook? (not to be confused with a snap clip)

[Colorado]

PS Willi - Did you ever notice that on the DAK wood canteens the rivets on the cup are larger than on the Sani cups? I have a wood canteen all the paint is gone from the cup, but it has the large rivets like yours. Is yours dated? Mine is unmarked.

[Willi Z.]

Jeff, I don't know, regarding your hook question.

On the rivets, I agree. I do not think that cup is marked, I will have to look at it again.

[Jan B]

Nice pieces guys,

Here's a near mint Sani-waterbottle I once had in my collection...with a hook and pebbled (erzatz?), blackened leather carrying strap.

Cheers

Jan