WW2 German Mess Kit (Messkit) Reference Thread

[Aaron]

Marked ZPStZ for Zieh, Press u. Stanzwerk, Schwarz & Co., Zwintschona-Halle and dated 1943, a fairly uncommon year and code steel messkit, exterior has heavy stress marks from stamping process with unique paint scheme where the messkit was painted with the top lid on resulting in a large red primed upper portion with no paint, exterior is in good worn shape, with excellent interior.

 

[Aaron]

Marked CFL for Carl Feldhaus Aluminium-und Metallwerke, Lüdenscheid and dated 1941, retains about 80% of paint, made of aluminum, has remnants of a name on the back and has initials on the top.

 

[Scharf]

The Zpstz one is rare, it seems that they never made 44 dated ones. I used to own a Zpstz43 one in very good condition but I sold it and still regret making this decision to this day.

 

[Aaron]

The Zpstz one is rare, it seems that they never made 44 dated ones. I used to own a Zpstz43 one in very good condition but I sold it and still regret making this decision to this day.

I have yet to see any 1942 dated ones either, It almost seems that 1943 was their only year of production for the M42 steel messkit. M31's with 1930's dates however seem common. There appears to be no M42 steel canteens marked ZPStZ whatsoever, with the latest aluminum ones dated 1942.

 

[Hambone]

Great stuff Aaron. I need to make sure this is in our pic sticky reference. Thanks for posting this.

 

[Aaron]

This is outstanding Aaron. Thank you. Pic stickied.

Thanks! But I think you already did pic sticky it

 

[Aaron]

Marked SMM for Süddeutsche Metallwarenfabrik, Mussbach and dated 1944, a late M31 messkit. Retains about 90% of paint, made of aluminum with early style wire handle bales.

 

[WAZUP13579]

Why am I just now seeing this? This is fantastic work! A few questions.

Where do you get this information?

Do you have any from Deutsche Emailwarenfabrik? I find the Oscar Schindler story interesting.

 

[fireman]

Why am I just now seeing this? This is fantastic work! A few questions.

Where do you get this information?

Do you have any from Deutsche Emailwarenfabrik? I find the Oscar Schindler story interesting.

Aaron is the field gear guru.

 

[Aaron]

Why am I just now seeing this? This is fantastic work! A few questions.

Where do you get this information?

Do you have any from Deutsche Emailwarenfabrik? I find the Oscar Schindler story interesting.

Thank you!

There are several facebook groups committed to this research but things like maker codes are easy to find online, as well as books.

I do not. There is no evidence tying DEF to the blue enamel messkits and canteens besides dealers liking to tie a famous factory to these unknown items, they are absurdly overpriced so I own no examples. There are not particularly rare, just highly concentrated in a few collections, so their rarity is more artificial in my opinion.

 

[Aaron]

Marked MKL for Max Kamper, Lüdenscheid and dated 1940, a typical early M31 messkit from an uncommon maker, retains about 95% of dark grey paint, made of aluminum.