Need technical advice on smoothing scoring in stainless canteen

BlackKnight86

BlackKnight86

Say my name, cheesers!
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Oct 14, 2003
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Hi, guys!

I need some advice on a possible repair to a stainless canteen. It's a Finnish Army one, an experimental model, I believe. They are quite scarce....I found one on Ebay; but haven't seen any others. It's in excellent shape....except for some scoring on the lip of the canteen. Here's a pic:

IMG_1011.JPG

It's hard to see; basically, it looks like someone lightly hacked at the mouth of the canteen. They're not TOO deep; but they'll cut your lips if you rub against them.

I'm thinking: they do not affect the threads; so I can probably get a fine mil bastard file, or some high grit sandpaper, and smooth them out without affecting the use and safety of the canteen.

What would you guys recommend?


Another question, somewhat related: I've never seen anything like this before....I've used plenty of surplus stuff in my day without ill effect; but this makes me wonder why this was done, if it was done on purpose, or what could have happened to the canteen to make it like that. It seems to me that stainless steel can be usually always be cleaned up and smoothed out to be safe to use. Is that a good assumption?

Thanks so much!

BK86
 
Looks like it was dropped or banged around; hard to say with the blurry photo but guessing it just wasn't soldier proof.

I would take a look at a deburring tool to clean up.
 
I would try sandpaper first. You only want to smooth the surface not alter it. Industrial grade Scotch-Brite might work and give a good finish. If you have to use a file or any deburring tool I would recommend extreme caution. Slow and steady usually gives results worthy of the extra time. Best of luck.
 
I would not use a file ! Use 400 grit abrasive paper and take you time .

How much surplus OLD SS stuff does anyone have . I have a WWII canteen US Army 1943 made by Volrath. I also have a pot said to be WWII Latvian surplus .
 
Thanks so much, guys! I'm going to start with the 400 sandpaper, see how much/little I need to bring it down. I'd rather not alter anything, if I can get away with it.

mete said:
I would not use a file ! Use 400 grit abrasive paper and take you time .

How much surplus OLD SS stuff does anyone have . I have a WWII canteen US Army 1943 made by Volrath. I also have a pot said to be WWII Latvian surplus .
Click to expand...

Wow! Sounds like some classic stuff....do you use them for food; and do you ever worry about how it may/may not have been used? Stainless Steel is pretty inert, isn't it?
 
The canteen I do use .They were originally made for jungle use ! I won't use plastic .
The Latvian pot was one of three , I got one ,from my Latvian GF.

I mentioned abrasive paper meaning wet/dry not the typical sandpaper. W/D used wet will last longer.
 
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