Description
The M31 messkit or “Kochgeschirre M 31 (Alum.)” was a 1.6 liter capacity cooking pot carried on the left side of the breadbag. The messkit was a clever engineered piece of equipment capable of serving as a cooking or eating pot. The early models also had indicating marks on the front, under the handle on which could measure the size of the contents. It had a cleverly placed wire handle on which the messkit could be hung above a fire. The messkits came in a big variety of colours and materials. At first the messkits where nearly completely made out of aluminium except the wire handle. From around 1940 onwards the handle on the lid was made from steel. In 1942 the simplified steel model “Kochgeschirre M 42 (Eis.)” was introduced. It had less and less well crafted details and the production became a hurry. I found the designation “M42” in the production numbers of the German Industry.
Model: M42
Marking: SMM 44
Maker: Süddeutsche Metallwarenfabrik, Mussbach
Material: Painted steel
Colour: Dark Green
Notes: A interesting feature is the latewar aluminium insert. It is unclear why this was inserted in some of the late messkits. It is only seen on some of the 44 or 45 dated messkits.