Last updated on July 18, 2024
Esbit stoves were small, portable cooking stoves intended for use with Hexamine fuel. They were advertised as a way to warm food and beverages for sport and hiking, for travel, and for workers to use on their breaks. Esbit stoves were issued to German soldiers in WWII and were also available for soldiers to buy. They are mentioned in memoirs written by Wehrmacht soldiers and also in memoirs of American troops who served in Europe and used these as captured items. They must have been fairly common among Wehrmacht troops, and they are very handy and practical items to use for living history. For more information about these stoves you can check out this article.
This stamp (at bottom right) is the only stamp I have ever seen showing issue of an Esbit stove. The original stamp was made with stamp set. The person using the stamp would make it using individual letters that could be inserted into a holder to make whatever text was needed. This particular stamp is dated November 1, 1943, and was used by “Marschbatl. z.b.V.,” a transport unit that soldiers would have been assigned to on a temporary basis. It recorded issue of a half iron ration and an Esbit stove. The person who made the original stamp made a spelling error and wrote “Esbith” instead of “Esbit” (these spellings would be pronounced the same in German).
For my stamp I used an old handle and I edited the graphics of the original stamp to correct the spelling. If you want this stamp for your Soldbuch I can sell just the rubber part for $16 or a complete stamp on a modern wood handle for $21 plus shipping. I can make these with or without the spelling error.
If you want to buy this stamp you can e-mail me at intrenches1945@gmail.com.