The Collectors Microscope: The M1942 Canteen with Robert House

By: Robert House

US Military WWII M1942 Porcelain Enamel Canteen: Why are some WW2 Canteens Black? Soon after Pearl Harbor, with the US gearing up for full war production, many shortcuts and substitutions were developed to speed equipment getting to the troops. One was the decision to produce desperately needed canteens made of porcelain. This was an attempt to save more valuable aluminum and stainless steel...urgently needed for aircraft, weapons, tanks and ships. Therefore, in 1942, an alternative investigated and put into production was a canteen made from a lower quality metal with a porcelain enameled coating.

Though an interesting idea, the M-1942 canteen was not considered a success. Under field conditions, Army and Marine Corps users complained of chipping of the porcelain coating contaminating their water. The canteens (and even rarer canteen cups) also quickly took on a battered look due to numerous chips and dings caused by the inferior materials. Thus the porcelain enameled steel canteens were rapidly phased out of the military. Because of this...the few that survive have become a rare and interesting collectible. Records indicate that the U.S. Military acquired about five million M-1942 enameled steel canteens from five manufacturers in 1942. Most went to the Marines in the Pacific. However the majority of canteens issued were of the non enameled variety, making these considered rare

The manufacturers of the canteens included:

REP Co. VOLLRATH Mfg. Co. SINGER Mfg. Co. [SM] UNITED STATES STONEWARE Co. [USS] BE Co.

The standard GI Canteen

Robert House is an avid collector, historian, and entrepreneur. Graduating from Elon University in North Carolina he has over 50 years of experience with military collectables and firearms. He was the president and founder of the Hampton Roads Militaria Society. He sits on the board of advisors for Ghosts of the Battlefield and is a great friend and mentor.