The 2 gallon can was part of the Vehicle Outfit List (VOL), these days called the Complete Equipment Schedule (CES). If the can was issued as part of the VOL, then it was expected to stay with that vehicle, and good crews would ensure that it did by labelling with some form of identification, often the vehicle registration number. As was said earlier, it helped defeat the '5 finger discount' mob!
The English/Canadian 2 gallon cans I have seen appear to be standardised in dimensions, so will fit any vehicle stowage position designated for a 'can, 2 gallon'. The Australian manufactured 2 gallon cans varied with (1) date made and, more particularly (2) manufacturer, and were often larger than their overseas counterparts. Made stowage problematic, to say the least. I wrote an article that was published in Army Motors several years ago about the subject that provided several sets of dimensions and descriptions as a comparative table. It also discussed the Australian 4 gallon drum that was an issue item from POL points, rather than part of the VOL of the vehicle. Of course, as Dave has said, why persist with such things when the best form of petrol carrier on the battlefield had to be 'liberated' from the enemy, and there were orders to do just that in North Africa, and send them to POL units for refilling and distribution. But that's another story...
Is it genuine? Don't know, but it sure looks good!
Mike C
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