1934 Matching Mess Kit

Matching WWII German M31 Mess Kit (Kochgeschirr 31) – HRE 34 Dated – Heinrich Ritter. An exceptional example of an early-production German M31 Mess Kit (Kochgeschirr 31). This matching set was manufactured by the highly regarded firm Heinrich Ritter, Esslingen, and is deeply stamped HRE 34 the body bracket. Finding an early 1934 Reichswehr/Wehrmacht transitional set in this textbook, unaltered condition is incredibly difficult today, as most were heavily used and abused throughout the war. The lid and the bottom container are a 100% factory-matching set, retaining a vast majority of their original early-war smooth olive-green/feldgrau paint. Crucially, the bottom of the mess kit is completely free of fire damage, soot, or heavy cooking wear, retaining its smooth factory lacquer. Features a neat, period-applied soldier's personalization on the top lid. It shows minimal signs of actual field wear with only a few minor storage scuffs. Complete with its original steel wire carrying handle and tensioning bracket. All parts fit together snugly and seal perfectly tight.An absolutely stellar, impossible-to-upgrade early combat field gear piece for the advanced Wehrmacht or mannequin display.