Tony641 Posted July 2, 2013 Share #1 Posted July 2, 2013 I picked this up at a yard sale a few weeks ago but was not sure if I could post pictures due to the fact that I believe it is German. Then I figured it belonged to someone from the US. If this is not permitted I appologize. I was told it was a POW's canteen however they only said that because of what was written (carved) into it. Would this be something that a POW would be given and hold onto? Is there a way to figure out who it belonged to? If you cant read the engraving it says J-9452. Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11b inf Posted July 2, 2013 Share #2 Posted July 2, 2013 hi folks :the water bottle is italian army issue(without the felt cover and shoulder strap) not german army issue...beyond that i can't add any more...vince g. 11B INF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liveww2 Posted July 2, 2013 Share #3 Posted July 2, 2013 Looks like a soldier's laundry mark; first initial of last name, last four of serial #. If the GI were the POW, I would suspect he would have used his name to ID it as his. Most likely it was aquired from an Italian POW who was allowed to keep it upon capture. I have a German Helmet marked with laundry marks. I think, and may be wrong, but some items were marked to show relevance to the capture papers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baron3-6 Posted July 3, 2013 Share #4 Posted July 3, 2013 I went through the NARA POW file and checked for soldiers with J names from Wisconsin that had matching last 4 serial numbers, no luck. Probably given to the Soldier J-9452 as a gift by an Italian POW, rather than issued and carried by a US POW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony641 Posted July 3, 2013 Author Share #5 Posted July 3, 2013 I went through the NARA POW file and checked for soldiers with J names from Wisconsin that had matching last 4 serial numbers, no luck. Probably given to the Soldier J-9452 as a gift by an Italian POW, rather than issued and carried by a US POW. Thanks for taking the time to check that for me. Thanks guys for the info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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