Hello John,

Can you tell me if this enamel flask was issued in WW1 or WW2, would it have been field issue and what it might be worth please. I would be interested in anything you can tell me about it at all.
It is 8 inches tall not including the cork, 51/2 inches wide. On the base is A.M. and some unclear numbers and letters.
It is in very good condition with a few chips in the enamel, the colour on the photos is not accurate, it is a deep cobalt.

Thanks

Hi
I am not sure

WW1 or WW2

a big difference

lots of copies made.
condition looks to very good, cobalt blue for a war does not sound right.
the markings are not what I would imagine.
the cork looks too good to be between 70 and 100 years old

like to see the item before I give a value and opinion.

may be some of the posters may want to chip in with some of their knowledge.

all the best
john nolan

The cork could have been easily replaced at anytime.
I have had a look on sites such as Ebay, some say WW1, some WW2 British, Canadian, Australian issue.
It is old, signs age on chip areas, the photos make it look better than it is.
I would be interested in other peoples knowledge too as John suggested.
Thanks John .

The arrowhead symbol indicates that it's government property, and the initials AM relate to the Air Ministry, hence it's RAF issue. The number 23/11? (I can't make out the last character) represent the RAF code number for the water bottle, and that this type was first issued in 1923. As the next type of water bottle canteen was first issued in 1937, your example can be dated to seven years either side of 1930.

Originally Posted by Nomad

The arrowhead symbol indicates that it's government property, and the initials AM relate to the Air Ministry, hence it's RAF issue. The number 23/11? (I can't make out the last character) represent the RAF code number for the water bottle, and that this type was first issued in 1923. As the next type of water bottle canteen was first issued in 1937, your example can be dated to seven years either side of 1930.

Very useful information Nomad, thanks very much, very helpful.

hello

yes , the crow's foot (arrow head does mean military issue) the blue does mean r.a.f , they usually come in a fabric slieve (removable ) and usually in that condition (without original slieve) sell for around £20.

Originally Posted by briana5125

hello

yes , the crow's foot (arrow head does mean military issue) the blue does mean r.a.f , they usually come in a fabric slieve (removable ) and usually in that condition (without original slieve) sell for around £20.

Thanks Briana, good to know the value although I wont be selling it. It is one of my many interesting charity shop finds.

Originally Posted by Nomad

The arrowhead symbol indicates that it's government property, and the initials AM relate to the Air Ministry, hence it's RAF issue. The number 23/11? (I can't make out the last character) represent the RAF code number for the water bottle, and that this type was first issued in 1923. As the next type of water bottle canteen was first issued in 1937, your example can be dated to seven years either side of 1930.

Thanks for that Nomad.

quite an intensive description

as for value Briana £20 sounds cheep but on the other hand Ebay price was under £9

I think it must be worth £50 with its original carrying strap.

The reason why I was reluctant in my first post to go into too much detail was because items like this are reproduce in the likes of China and distributed through the likes of charity shops for profit.

Also the markings where faint and all Items that I have seen from W.D. MOD and A.M. etc have always been readable.

But I must congratulate Nomad for his detailed description.

What I love about the antique trade you learn something every day.

your example can be dated to seven years either side of 1930.

A broad arrow or pheon is a type of arrow with a typically flat barbed head. It is a symbol used traditionally in heraldry, most notably in England, and later the United Kingdom to mark government property.