Hi,<br><br>This is my first post on Doug's Survival Forum as I have been mostly on the BladeForums.<br><br>I bought an "original" US Military jungle canteen with 5 quart capacity and besides having trouble with the screw down cap not providing a water tight closure I found the water after having been inside the soft plastic bladder almost impossible to drink as it tasts/smells like liquid plastic.<br>I retired the bag to just hold water for washing your hands or filling a cars radiator but in case of an emergency I would drink the water but only after I used up my iodine pills and water I found in streams that bad does it taste from the jungle bladder.<br><br>My question did I get an original bladder or a cheap Taiwan copy or is that awfull pungent plastic taste/smell just normal?<br><br>Best Scouting wishes from Holland,<br><br>Bagheera<br><br>

bagheera, I am holding my 5 qt., G.I. issue canteen as I type. Description, upper left hand corner of side with purification tab pocket reads;CANTEEN AND CARRIER COLLAPSIBLE ASSEMBLY FIVE QUART CAPACITY DLA 183-91-0-4818 8465-01-254-5759 Crown Purse Inc.There should be a removable brass mesh screen in spout and a three snap side access to bladder.On reverse side should be a large stitched instruction panel with a diagram of two hands holding spout with printed instructions. Knockoff or issue, there is something seriously wrong if you are tasting heavy plastic. Mine had a slight flavor which disappeared after a few rinsings with baking soda. To taste that strong means the material is dissolving or offgassing into the water.This can be a serious health threat.Plastics of unkown composition may contain heavy metal, chemical and even insecticide impurities. A true milspec 5c qt. may be viewed at www. MajorSurplusNSurvival.com <br><br>

Hi,<br><br>It looks like I have the real Jungle canteen "only" teh instructions like you talked about are printed on the OD colored canteen cover (at the back).<br>The mesh screen (debris filter) is in the spout and is chrome colored but not magnetic so I expect it to be brass with nickel coating.<br>I'll try rinsing the bag with some false teeth cleaning tablets in the luke warm water.<br>I normally clean thermos bottles and so on using this technique and it works perfectly.<br><br>I will let you know if this solves the problem.<br><br>Best Scouting wishes from Holland,<br><br>Bagheera<br><br>