I was expecting to get a new reproduction of the German Mess kit. What I got was a used surplus kit. The marking under the handle read: IVM 68. The paint was a miss-match. The top piece came from a different kit, with a piece of green duct tape with the name, Meyer on it. The bottom piece had bare metal showing and the middle section had seen usage, as it had a minor dent in it. I wanted a German mess it, and now I have one.

SEEMS ALMOST IDENTICAL TO THE GERMAN MESS KIT OF THE 60,S-70,S. THIS ONE WAS MADE IN GERMANY ACCORDING TO THE BOTTOM LABEL.. LIKE IT... AND WILL USE IT THIS SUMMER ON CAMPING TRIPS FOR SURE. a+++++

Visually, this is a fairly accurate reproduction of the German mess kit. But this made in China kit is poorly made and has not held up well to actual use. The paint does not survive campfire heat and the latch is not secure. The hinges are a bit misaligned and it is a bit soft and flimsy overall. Well suited to reenacting, but not at all suited to actual use.

This is a great reproduction of the German WW2 mess kit. Its durable, more or less compact, and very useful. I take it with me whenever I go camping. With the use of a cheap thin belt I got from Wal-Mart, I attach the mess kit to the outside of my back pack, so that it doesn't take up any room inside (which is how German soldiers use to attach it to their battle belts).

When I was stationed in Germany with the NATO troops,I found out how excellent this mess kit was.Up in the Fulda Gap in winter on joint maneuvers with the Whermacht,I was asked if I would swap my U.S. kit with the German kit.I saw immediately that the German kit was much more versatile for cooking and heating-while mine was good if the food was ladled into the kit.I saw that the German soldier was disappointed after awhile with the swap,so I returned his mess kit. I just happened to see this mess kit on this site Keep Shooting and I had to have it-especially since it was new! I know I will get many years out of this "bomb proof" mess it........

This is a very good multi use mess kit. I tend to carry it on my trips when I need to condense my cooking kit due to weight and/or pack limits. I can easily boil water in it. Fry food using the top. I've even used it to bake over a fire. Just place your baking material (like bread or muffin mix) into the middle aluminum cup piece. The air space between the bottom of the larger pot section and this cup keeps the food from burning. Then place coals on the top lid and it makes a surprisingly good oven. Mine was clearly used. A couple small dents and the hanging handle was a bit rusted. But I got it to use it so that didn't bother me. Mine's almost entirely black now from cooking over fires and the green paint has started to flake off. So its developing good character. This is a solid piece of kit that I expect to use for a long time to come.

Well made of aluminum and sturdy. Very useful design with three separate pieces, all perfect size for their intended purpose. Some might.consider it a bit large, but a multiuse mess kit.

i love this item its brand new has no nicks looks great and will last a life time... might have to buy a few more but pick yourself up one while you can before i get them all