Original Item. Only One Available. This is a German 20-liter triangular fuel canister, known as a Dreieckskanister or Trittbrettkanister, an early type of portable fuel container widely used in Germany before the introduction of the standardized Wehrmacht Einheitskanister in 1937. These distinctive canisters were used in both civilian and military motor vehicles during the interwar period, with the older pattern continuing in service into WWII. It measures approximately 10 ⅛” x 14” x 16 ½”.

The canister is constructed from formed sheet metal with a triangular cross-section, reinforced seams, and pressed strengthening ribs along its broad side panels. One side bears the embossed inscription:

20 Ltr.
Kraftstoff

This translates as "20 Liters / Fuel," identifying its intended capacity and contents. The upper section has a fixed metal carrying handle and an offset filling neck fitted with a square metal closure cap. Both triangular end panels have recessed reinforcement borders, while the underside incorporates additional metal fittings.

The canister is in fair to poor overall condition, with substantial age, handling, and storage wear. The exterior has developed an uneven gray patina with scattered oxidation and corrosion. There is a long, irregular crack through one side panel, accompanied by surrounding rust damage. The underside exhibits extensive corrosion, including significant rust-through and perforation, which has compromised the container's integrity. The filling cap remains present but is heavily oxidized, and the embossed inscription is still clearly legible. This canister is intended strictly for historical display and is unsuitable for fuel storage.

Historical Context

During the early decades of the 20th century, Germany's expanding automotive industry created an increasing demand for practical methods of transporting reserve fuel. Filling stations were relatively scarce outside major towns and cities, making portable fuel containers particularly useful for motorists traveling long distances. The triangular Dreieckskanister became one of the established solutions, manufactured in various capacities for use with automobiles, commercial trucks, and military vehicles.

The design was especially suited to vehicles equipped with external running boards, or Trittbretter, which were common on early automobiles and trucks. The canisters could be carried along these running boards and secured with leather straps or suitable mounting arrangements, providing an accessible reserve fuel supply. This method of carriage gave rise to the alternative German designation Trittbrettkanister, literally meaning "running-board canister." The containers were also suitable for transport in vehicle-mounted racks or compartments.

Triangular fuel canisters became part of German military motor transport equipment during the Reichswehr period and continued to be used as the armed forces expanded throughout the 1930s. The growing importance of motorized transport placed considerable demands on fuel distribution, particularly as military planners sought to improve the mobility and operating range of vehicles used for reconnaissance, transportation, and logistical support. Portable 20-liter containers provided a means of carrying additional fuel and replenishing vehicle tanks away from established supply facilities.

During the mid-1930s, the German military began developing a standardized fuel container better suited to mass production and the demands of mechanized operations. The resulting Wehrmacht-Einheitskanister was developed during 1935-1936, with an initial series distributed for troop trials in 1936. Its official introduction followed on July 8, 1937, under Allgemeine Heeresmitteilung No. 324.

The standardized container incorporated a rectangular body with pressed reinforcement ribs, an integrated carrying-handle arrangement, and a quick-release closure. Its construction facilitated handling, stacking, and transportation during military operations, helping establish the 20-liter fuel canister as an important component of German military logistics.

The introduction of the Einheitskanister gradually reduced the use of earlier triangular containers, although existing stocks remained in circulation. The older pattern continued to appear on German military vehicles during the opening years of WWII, particularly among vehicles and equipment inherited from the prewar period.

The triangular construction and embossed 20 Ltr. Kraftstoff inscription place this canister within that earlier generation of German automotive fuel equipment, representative of the period preceding the widespread adoption of standardized military fuel containers.