As said elsewhere am putting together a german infantry uniform, i want to have as many items as possible to look authentic.
Simple question is how common were gas mask canisters, i know soldiers were issues with them and that they usually ended up being used to store everything but a gas mask. But considering how much they cost i just cant justify the expense, so would i look out of place if i didnt have one?
Unless someone can point me in the right direction of a cheapish one 
Sorry for all the questions guys, i'm fairly welled genned up up on german kit, but considering what a fountain of knowledge we have on here i thought i would tap into it! 
Cheers Phil
In my opinion its one of the most recognisable pieces of german kit. If you look at period photos, especially early/mid war, you'll see lots of examples of soldiers carrying them.
I'd put them fairly high on you list of kit to get. As Steinlager says they're an instantly recognisable bit of kit and can be useful for carrying bottles- be it water, BBs. gas (although large green gas bottles doen't fit) or beer. 
I'd put them just behind mag pouches, breadbags and a zelt in the list of webbing to buy and £35 for a repro isn't going to break the bank.
going to get one, considering the responses they seem a must have, cheers guys
I gave my repro one to Jimbo - he's more than happy with it
Mate of mine had a repro one(not sure where it came from)but it was TERRIBLE and he paid £30 for it.
Metal/Steel was wafer thin,compartment inside the lid for the spare lenses and the straps were also TERRIBLE.
Glad to say he now has an original
Just bought a repro one for about that, will have to see what its like when it turns up! 
Well my repro arrived yesterday, and it looks a pretty nice bit of kit, will have to see how it fairs during a game.
Question, how do you attach the strap properly, as i dont have a clue, i'm just a simple soul me 
Correct arrangment illustrated nicely here:
“I wanted to come to the Volga at a specific location at a specific city. By chance it carries the name of Stalin himself. So don’t think I marched there for this reason – it could carry another name – but because there is a very important goal... this goal I wanted to take – and you know – we are very modest, we have it already."
Adolf Hitler, November 1942
"Comrades, Red Army men, commanders and political workers, men and women guerrillas! It is on your perseverance, staunchness, fighting skill and readiness to discharge your duty to the country that the defeat of the German-fascist army and the liberation of the Soviet land from the Hitlerite invaders depend! We can and must clear the Soviet land of Hitlerite vermin."
Joseph Stalin, November 1942
Dont forget the leather protective sliders used to stop the webbing straps from fraying.