Hungarian Army water Bottle – Model 1950

Hungarian Army water Bottle – Model 1950
Di Army Water Bottles and Mess Kits Collection
Known as: magyar katonai honvédségi kulacs 50-as évek

During the post-war period, when Hungary formed part of the Warsaw Pact, the Hungarian Army issued the katonai honvédségi kulacs 50. It replaced an earler model used immediately after the war. The new water bottle was made of aluminium plate and generally painted dark green, though a grey version existed as well. The kulacs 5o has a narrow neck opening (as opposed to the earlier version which had a large mouth piece) with a lockable twist-off cap. The cap has a button on top to which a short leather strap is attached. The other end of the strap is attached to the collar of the bottle, thus avoiding the user from losing the cap after use. The water bottle can be attached to the webbing belt of the user by a metal carabiner, also attached to the collar.

One side of the water bottle is plain while the other side (the side facing away from the user when attached to the webbing belt) is ribbed. The ribbing prevents the bottle from becoming dented when in use during training or action. This Hungarian water bottle remained in use until the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. It measures: 23 cm (9 inches) high and 11,5 cm (4,5 inches) wide.

On the bottom, this water bottle has the seriel number: 2 HR 952. The initials 5HR correspond to buffer acceptance of the filing of the army (HK stands for Honvédségi Raktár or military depot.) The number 952 represent the month and year of production (September, 1952). Similar markings are also found on the liner of the Hungarian Model 50 helmet. Today these water bottles are becoming rare.

Magyar Katonai Honvédségi Kulacs 50-as évek

On the bottom of the canteen there is a mark stamp : "9 HR 952" , standing for the year of production 1952.

Measures: 23 cm/9 inches high and 11,5/ 4,5 inches wide.