The "Coconut" Canteen- Ritters Mystery Canteen

[Hambone]

The Coconut canteen; Ritters not so tropical canteen

Frederik Suijkerbuijk, 25 July 2022 A selection of different variants of coconut canteens IntroductionThe so called coconut canteen or Kokosnuss can be observed with markings as early as 1941 indicating its first year of production. These canteens are often referred to as being tropical...

fjm44.com

 

[biggymu]

I've never even had one in hand. Fascinating and informative article.

 

[Hambone]

I've never even had one in hand. Fascinating and informative article.

They aren't rare. I think I have about five or six variants.

 

[biggymu]

It was just an aspect I never thought of collecting. I never dreamed they were covered with wood and pulp.

 

[mrfarb]

I only have the 45 date, but I had and sold a nice 41 date with tan straps, should have kept it.

 

[Hambone]

It was just an aspect I never thought of collecting. I never dreamed they were covered with wood and pulp.

They are interesting. The earliest I have is a 1942 and I think the latest is a 1944, or it may be undated but is clearly late. They show up in all theatres of operation. In fact, most of the DAK pics with canteens are the standard variety or the larger 1.5L or whatever with the web straps.

 

[Grabenkater]

I don’t believe I have ever seen a photo of these in use in Afrika.

 

[mrfarb]

There are no 44 dates, and the ones marked Ritter are postwar.

 

[Wilhelm]

I'd love to have one but have never run across one. If any of you gents runs across one and you don't want to keep it for yourself, please keep me in mind. I'd be happy with a post war one too so long as it's German. I'm aware of the Bulgarian ones and they seem pretty cheaply done to me.

 

[Hambone]

There are no 44 dates, and the ones marked Ritter are postwar.

I need to check. I have one that is unissued shape, web components, but I think the web components are such are dated 1944. I think the canteen is simply make marked with "Ritter".