Flask, Field, Plastic (Feldflasche)
General Information
Name: Flask, Field, Plastic (Feldflasche).
Country of Origin: West Germany (Bundeswehr).
Manufacturer: Paul Schulze Lübeck (PSL).
Date of manufacture: 1956.
NATO Stock Number (NSN): This is yet to be identified.
Colour: Green.
Equipment Family: This is yet to be identified.
Volume Capacity: 1L.
Weight:
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History
With the founding of the Bundeswehr (West German army) in 1955, a new style of uniform and individual equipment was needed, one that did not resemble the German army during World War II. Within the individual equipment system, a new style of water bottle was required to be carried with a new style of web equipment.
The new canteen style was significantly different from previous models, being essentially a metal canteen encased in plastic and shaped like the US Army M1936 canteen. However, this German canteen had no cover and was attached to the web belt with a leather strap. Issued for only a few years, it was eventually replaced in the late 1950s with a style of water bottle often referred to as a “coconut” water bottle due to its resemblance to a coconut, which also closely resembled the German M-1931 water bottle from World War II. This plastic design of water bottle was later copied by South Africa and issued with the 1961/64 Pattern web equipment.
Description
The water bottle is fabricated from molded aluminum and plastic, featuring a plastic neck and shoulders to which a plastic cup is fitted from the bottom. The cup has butterfly-type wire handles similar to those found on British 44 and 58 Pattern water bottle cups. The cup is held in place under the canteen with a webbing strap arrangement that secures to the water bottle’s lid and neck, wrapping around the water bottle and fastening with a metal clamp-style buckle at the front.
The back of the strap includes an aluminum spring hook at the top and a leather strap that is secured over the web belt with a metal boss. These attachments also enable the water bottle to be attached to the bread bag or field pack.
Examples
Example One
Object Number: 7582-2761-44103.
