Original Item: Only One Available. Drinking water was transported to front line trenches in petrol cans. It was then purified with chemicals. To help disguise the taste, most water was drunk in the form of tea, often carried cold in soldier’s individual water bottles. In extreme circumstances, soldiers might resort to boiling filthy water found in shell holes. Drinking polluted water could lead to diarrhea and outbreaks of dysentery.

This drinking water can is not a fuel can but was meant to transport potable water to the frontlines, though not always. Water is always an issue in warfare, especially for elements that are closed off and isolated, many times in a landlocked environment without access to fresh water. These cans were most likely at times filled with already boiled or sanitized water for the troops.

This can is in wonderful condition and does show signs of significant use in service. It looks to have been last painted a tan color, possibly DAK Dunkelgelb Tan, which is now somewhat worn. We can however still make out the faded Trinkwasser / 5 l (Drinking Water 5 liters) on all four sides! The top of the latching functional lid is the stamp Ritter Aluminum and D.R.P. ang but no date is present that we could find. The maker marking on this indicates pre-wwii manufacture by Heinrich Ritter of Esslingen. The other markings indicate that it is a registered design with the German trademark office. Additionally there is a very decorative Ritter logo on the bottom. We assume it was made during the interwar period, though it possibly could be WWI vintage.

There is denting present but no “real” damage. The paper or leather washer on the lid is still present, though we do not know if it is still able to hold water. The canister is 16 inches in height with a square cross section 5 1/4 inches per side.

Comes more than ready for further research and display.