MK3 STEN Photographic Profile

[gsimmons]

Sorry Jim, just trying to be funny, you know with all this talk of horsec*ck and spouts and such. By the way, I thought horsec*ck was lunch meat or deli meat. I don't actually mind when threads go off topic.

[Flying10uk]

Here is the WW2 German Jerry can that my Uncle found in West Africa while he was working out there during the mid 1980s. Shortly after receiving it I repainted it in Africa Korps colour scheme and their motif was added as a bit of artistic license by myself. I hope that the image of the Swastika doesn't offend anyone and in the context that it is shown I would hope that it doesn't.

Is any-one able to help translate the text on the can, please, because my German is fairly limited. Is this can intended for Petrol or another type of fuel.

Interestingly, I have seen an immediate post war British jerry can but made by the same German maker as this example and with the same company stamp.

[tankhunter]

Kraftstoff is = Petrol. & Fuergefarlich is = Flamable. Whermacht is = German Armed Forces. The date of manufacture is obvious.
And 27 is the pressmould number.

Having owned a few German WWII vehicles over the years. I also obtained some variously dated Jerrycans as well. It is a little Pecadillo with Whermacht Vehicle collectors. To TRY to obtain a Jerrycan of each year of Manufacture. The earliest one I had, was dated 1938!
The early variants also has a simple 'X' pressed into each side. Rather than the later improved models, with a centre square. And the 'X' pressing.

The Rarest variant to find, was the SS Issue Can. I have one in my collection at present. An interesting point on the SS cans, was the fact. That ONLY One firm made them = Sandrik.

[browningautorifle]

An interesting point on the SS cans, was the fact. That ONLY One firm made them = Sandrik.

I find interesting that they needed their own cans, marked for them...

[Flying10uk]

Does any-one know why the SS had their own cans? Could it have been to indicate that the fuel was only to be used by the SS, perhaps, or was there some other reason???

[Peter Laidler]

I think it's one of those seven deadly sins. It's called conceit. I mean....., could you imagine an Army where certain units wan their own special weapons? Or regiments that want their own special uniforms - , or still want horses........... I mean......... Today you'd define it as being up their own, er........, backsides. Just my view

[tankhunter]

The SS were looked at sideways by the Old School ARMY Generals, who mistrusted them. & thought them 'Criminals' & not 'Gentlemen'. To that end, weapons & supplies requests from the SS Supply chain through the Whermacht. Always went to the bottom of the pile in the 'In Tray'!.....

So....The SS procured/ Adopted/Stole/Captured/Liberated whatever equipment they could get their hands on. This is evidenced by the Miryad of different types of weaponry from all the countries that were conquerd/ occupied.

if you look closely at inspection marks on some K98k Rifles. You may be lucky enough to observe SS inspection stamps. They are rare! I cannot state for certain, but this MAY be due. To them being removed in postwar Workshop refurbs & the like. Or possibly destroyed by the thousands after capture? The rarest of all, are the Totenkopf K98s. They have a small Skull & Crossbones distinctive stamp. These were issued to Concentration Camp Personel as well as those in the Field.

Jerry cans were a different matter. A Humble but brilliant design, that was in demand in HUGE numbers in the Whermact three Armed Services. So they couldn't be spared. Remember, the Whermacht was Infamous for its Blitzkreig Tactics, of VERY rapid advancement & crushing the opposition. This meant as a consequence, FUEL was needed in large quantities. For the Armour & Supporting Transporation. So Jerry cans were used constantly, & the turn over must have been MASSIVE!

So, the SS Quartermasters turned to Sandrik, who were well versed in Machine Pressing Manufacture. & contracted them to manufacture exlusively for the SS itself.

There are a few instances of small arms being adopted by The SS & Police units. That the Army didn't want/Rejected. IE: The Schnellfuer Machine Pistol, The MP41 Smg, ZB26 & 30 LMG, Etc. A Myriad of pistols (Also pistols were used like this with the army) to supplement the demand for Handguns.

And yes, the Sten was adopted also! So much admired for it's simplicity. The Germans even manufactured their own version of it. Albiet they changed the magazine mounting from the side, to the Vertical underneath! It was named the MP3008 I Believe?

[Flying10uk]

I have an ex SS double decal hemet that's been repainted post war and used by Norway. However, you are still able to see the remains of the original SS decal underneath the Norway markings. Is there likely to be anything special/different about this helmet other than the markings because it's ex SS? Thank-you for the information, tankhunter, which is most interesting.

[mrclark303]

Very interesting stuff Mike, regarding firearms they also had the majority of CZ Mauser production too I think, most of the G24T's went to the SS I believe.

I had an SS issue G24T a few years ago (SS runes hand cut into the butt and a single ownership stamp) and without getting political, after researching the main users of these rifles in the Ukraine, had no interest in keeping it, so moved it on again.

I will look out the pics, still have them on my computer somewhere.

[bigduke6]

I have an ex SS double decal hemet that's been repainted post war and used by Norway. However, you are still able to see the remains of the original SS decal underneath the Norway markings. Is there likely to be anything special/different about this helmet other than the markings because it's ex SS? Thank-you for the information, tankhunter, which is most interesting.

I think helmets was one item that they never appointed a manufacture for, regarding the Norway refinish, I had a M35 helmet (long gone now) which I bought on ebay, it was painted gloss black with a brush, but still had the Norway decals on..... never thought about the decals till later on as I bought it from a Guy in Scotland just assumed it was a Scottish thing..... and proceeded to remove the paint and the decals.....

At the Birminghanm international was talking to one of the dealers some time back, who said the helmets in good condition with Norway decals are worth more than a German double decal helmet.......we live and learn.