WWII German M31 Canteen, RFI 41/42 Body and Cover, VDNS 34 Replacement Cap

World War Two German M31 Canteen (Feldflasche). This canteen is in good condition and has only sustained a moderate amount of material loss to the cover. The leather components are also in a very good condition and are still flexible and serviceable, though they have hardened somewhat. The body of the canteen is marked “RFI 41” while the cover is marked “RFI 42”, indicating they were likely issued together and made by Rudolf Fissler K.G. in Idar-Oberstein. The lid is marked “VDNS 34” indicating a replacement from a pre-war manufactured part made by Vereinigte Deutsche Nickelwerke/Nickel-und Stahlwerke in Schwerte. It is likely that this replacement was done in the field or in service as there is a recurrence of a symbol resembling a Nordic B Rune applied twice on the lid, once on the leather retaining strap on the cover, once on the neck of the canteen, and twice on the body of the canteen. The letter “E” is also applied to the cap and to the body of the canteen. The bottom of the buttons on the cover are marked “PRYM 4”.