jerry can question

[Ryan]

Was any allied copy of the German jerry can produced without any markings for war use, apart from the big pressed 'x' on the sides? Or would this be a civilian copy?

[Lang]

From Philippe Leger's definitive encyclopedia on jerry cans.

Exact copies of the German first models with simple pressed crosses were used on both European and Pacific fronts. Some had no markings at all. The crosses are quite different to the normal "square with arms" pressing on most jerry cans. Nearly all discovered have sand coloured paint remains.

Most likely initial British and American prototypes copied from captured German equipment.

Having said that, a modern find of an unmarked can is more than likely to be later civil production.

Lang

[Ryan]

Thanks Lang, will check for sand paint remains.