German Mess Kit M31 1933!!

[echofix]

Hello there,
This Kochgeschirr 31 was found during a ʺgarage saleʺ at Cambrai (north-east of France- Invasion of France 1940). It is interesting to note that it was found in France with such a small date of manufacturing. It is a mixt of 2 manufacturers (ESB at Berlin 1933 for the ʺPotʺ and A.W.G. at Gelsenkirchen 1935 for the ʺPanʺ). Obviously this Mess Kit has seen a lot of use with no attempt to refresh the painting as it is totally clear of any paint!.. Unfortunately at some point it may have received some kind of bad restoration as the wire handle is obviously not an original, also the bottom has been set upside down with some kind of reshape work to follow the slight kidney shape of handled lid or maybe not (?). Otherwise I think this is quiet rare German Mess kit even in this condition... Thanks’ for looking.
ps: I post another picture of a Mess Kit and canteen found together where we clearly see that the mess kit has been barely camouflaged with large brushstrokes of some Field Gray paint. The Mess Kit being worn visibly, it had to be repainted all the time!..

[luger 41]

Mess kit

Why do you think the wire handle has been changed is it not an original can you show pictures.

[Fritz84]

very nice

[echofix]

German canteen wire handle

Hello there, no, no, not correct. Not in the shape, neither in type of iron.. This job has been done lately.. I think it should be replaced. All the best.

[luger 41]

Mess kit

Yes wrong shape yours should have a steel one.

[echofix]

Story of the last Tiger I left in Normandie...

Finally, I will do a restoration work. I even found the owner's name: MOHK. A quiet rare German name.
I will exercise me the famous Normandie tarn! Not easy task, but very easy to come back to original state... I can offord a genuine one so I will do one the way I would like it. At least A better job than the Tiger I at Vimoutiers in front of my door (kiddy)!


Story of the last Tiger I left in Normandie...
On August 21, 1944, the pocket of Falaise (France) is closed to Montormel, promontory dominating Trun. This ended the encirclement of the German army, putting an end to the Battle of Normandy.
One of his tanks, a Tiger I from the s.SS Pz.Abt 102 (#231), ran out of fuel at the exit of Vimoutiers on the road to Gacé. Some says it was sabotaged by its crew to make it unusable.
Pushed back by the allied bulldozers in the ditch to clear the road, the Tiger is abandoned for about thirty years. As a kid I can remember seeing this tank from the bus on the way to my Kid summer camps...
Its cannon pointing through the thickets, indicates its presence until 1973 when the scrap dealers became owners of the tank and started to proceed to its dismantle. The turret already lies in pieces on the road when the work is interrupted by a veteran of the 2nd DB (2nd Armored Division) residing in this location. It was saved from scrap dealers at the last minute and since that date the city Vimoutiers bought it and it was placed this way on the road close to a car park area with particular camouflage scheme that makes it looking like a Tiger of circus!!
Finally, this is often the case; German Tanks even in the “museum” are painted some funny way! Sometimes it is just incredible... As a Tank modeler this state of fact disturbs me!! They don’t have the right color, the money, the skills or any reference books?..
In fact, not a penny to put in a German Panzer (not to help... an SS Panzer)!! And not easy to put down!! A big German baby lost in the nature!!
But you can contact the association to donate: association@chartigrevimoutiers.com
Now it is time for a good Mess kit restoration job!!

[Grenadier1982]

Why did you painted it ?????

Before it was a piece with history.... now it is only a green messkit..

Sorry - this is my opinion.

Best regards
Stephan

[MULON]

Ruined forever

[echofix]

restoration is a mess..

Hello, I agree, but as i knew, it was already modificate by someone before me and brutally. I choose it for sacrifice it definitively to the benefit of my own knowledge on the technic of Normandie camouflage. That's probably my iconoclast side (dark side)! The green paint is only the base for the camouflage job. I swear i will post the result! Sorry for hurting. I will ask advice for the next time. Nobody's perfect. Cheers..

[Jean-Loup]

IT seems the handle that was on the mess kit was pretty old, I wouldnt be surprised if it was a wartime replacement, or something done by a POW.

JL