canteen Canteens, cups & covers

[Greg Robinson]

Now that we're getting a lot of new members with experience maybe I can get an answer to a question I've had for some time. I own two versions of pre WW2 USMC Phila Depot made canteen covers. I know they were made after the eagle snap version but before WW2. What I do NOT know is which was made first. Here are some pics.....can anybody say which was the earlier version? They are essentially the same cover, both have insulation, but one has those distinctive lines of stitching on the back side.

[Greg Robinson]

last pic

[Russell 1910]

Here are a number of canteens from the collection. Most are M1910s from WWI and WWII as well as Korea and Vietnam. I have more modern examples from the 80's to the present, but wanted to show some of the older ones.

 

There are folks on this board as well as the MCF board that have examples of the early M1910 covers as well- some of which I currently do not have.

 

To start in basicly chronological order here are a few of the 19th century examples:

 

M1858 "smooth side" as used during the Civil War

 

 

 

 

Converted M1858 "smooth side" recovered in duck with the web sling and Chambers buckle as used during the Indian War period.

 

 

 

 

According to various sources including an excellent article in the Journal of The Company of Militaria Historians, no new canteens were manufactured after the end of the Civil War until the Spanish American War due ot the huge anount of surplus. I think these two are examples of the new manufacture. Although the example on the left with the cast metal spount could be a converted Civil War example.

 

 

 

More ovoid canteens in the next post.

[Russell 1910]

A USMC marked 1900/1907 with a Rock Island Arsenal cover, dated 1909. This is the type with the concave reverse.

 

[Russell 1910]

Four examples of the M1910 dismounted "eagle snap" covers.

 

From left to right:

 

"rimless" snaps with lightweight bent wire hook with metal tube. Date is very light, but I think it is 1911. Probably made by Rock Island Arsenal

 

"rimless" undated, most likely made 1912-1914, probably made by RIA

 

"rimless" undated, in unissued condition, most likely made 1912-1914, probably made by RIA

 

"rimmed" dated 1915, stamped RIA. Near unissued condition.

 

 

 

Reverse side of the eagle snap examples:

 

[Russell 1910]

First pattern canteens and cup. Both of the canteens are the earliest pattern- the spouts have the exposed threads on the inside and lack the "inner collar" of the second version of this pattern.

 

The bright canteen and cup were found together.

 

 

 

WWI canteens with Carr lift the dot snaps, 1917 or 1918 dated with undated or 1918 dated canteens and cups

 

 

 

M1917 mounted sets, dated 1917 or 1918, with WWI undated or 1918 cups and canteens. The one on the left was originally a dismounted example and had 3 leather loops added (appears to be period, professionally done modification). The cover retains the m1910 belt hook on the reverse. The others were originally made as mounted.

 

 

[Russell 1910]

Post WWI mounted, dated 1935, manufactured by Jeffersonville Quartermaster Depot.

 

The example on the right has had the web loops for the leather strap removed and M1941 style mounted webbing has been riveted in place.

 

 

 

Reverse of the modified cover

 

[Russell 1910]

WWI era USMC M1910 canteen covers. I believe there is another topic on the board dealing with when these examples were made- so I look forward to getting some details...

 

[Russell 1910]

World War 2 USMC models- two second pattern examples on the left and the later "dog ear" style to the right. The example to the far right has the drain/funnel hole and is dated 1942-1943- see the close up.

 

 

Close up:

 

 

 

Army 1941 dated dismounted set- includes rare 1941 T.A.C.U. manufactured canteen and T.A.C.U. cup, also dated 1941

 

 

 

close up of canteen date (the stamp is very light)

 

 

[Russell 1910]

WWII issue dismounted sets:

 

Left to right:

 

Shane Mfg, dated 1943

Shane Mfg, dated 1945

 

JQMD, dated 1943

JQMD, dated 1945

 

 

 

WWII M1941 Mounted sets:

 

These are dated 1942, the date on the OD cover is not legible

 

 

[Russell 1910]

1942 dated enamel canteen and rare enamel cup, dated 1942, manufactured by Landers, Frary & Clark.

 

The plactic/ethocel canteen is dated 1943

 

 

 

Aluminum canteens: 1941, 1942, 1942 aluminum with horizontal seam and 1945.

 

 

Early 1943 CRS/stainless with 3 piece body (top, bottom and spout) with early plactic cap. Compare to later 1944 dated CRS/stainless 2 piece body.

 

 

[Russell 1910]

British made covers:

 

Left to right:

two dismounted examples

mounted style with web hook/billet

M1941 mounted

 

 

 

Battered and bruised aluminum canteens (undated seamless and with seam, 1918 and 1942 dates). Such abuse should not be allowed to occur!

 

Water left to freeze and expand= bloated canteen

Monkey wrench to open cap- shredded caps

Rusted/corrosion

Various examples used as hammer or similar tool

 

 

Part 2 will include post WWII, Korea and Vietnam...

[Patrick.]

Just a couple of quick questions, how uncommon are the plactic / ethocel canteens? Are they attributed to a certain manufacturer or were they limited to a few companies?

[2ad82recon]

I have a Plastic canteen, mine is marked Mack and dated 1943.

[Russell 1910]

"Trench Art" canteen cup (T.A.C.U., dated 1941). decorated by a member of Battery D 440th Antiaircraft Artillery AW Battalion.

 

Information includes the vets name, and other information, the states (I assume) where other members of his unit reside, the countries where the unit was- England, Wales, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland, Germany. Dates: 42, 43, 44 & 45.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Late WWII/post war two quart bladder and carrier. This is the shoulder carrier, there was also a model with a 1910 belt bent wire hook.

 

 

[Russell 1910]

A pair of canteen sets dated from the 1950's, both made by Concord Supplies. It appears the lighter shade cover has faded. One flap is open to show the "tan line". However it still seems to be a very light color due to the age.

 

 

 

[Russell 1910]

Korean War era canteen set (cover dated 1951 with late WWII dated canteen and cup) on the left. 1956 dated set with 1950's dated canteen and cup on the right.

 

 

 

[Russell 1910]

M1956 Experimental covers with "test" versions of the m56 clips. Otherwise the covers are very much like the standard early Vietnam cotton covers.

 

 

Vietnam era Canteen sets: early all cotton exterior cover, cotton body with nylon egding material, M67 all nylon with plastic snaps and water purification table bottle pocket.

 

[Russell 1910]

Reverse of the above Vietnam canteen sets: Dated 1962, 1967 and 1968

 

 

 

 

First pattern 2 quarter canteen bladder and the 2 patterns of covers/carriers used with this bladder. These are similar to the WWII/ post WWII 2 qt, as one is a over-the-shoulder design and the other has belt clips to be worn on the belt, or other equipment, such as the lightweight rucksack.

 

 

 

Stanardized 2 quart carrier and second pattern canteen. I believe there is a rubberized, unlined carrier in the same design as this, but it is apparently quite rare. If anyone has any specifics about this I'd be interested.

 

 

1967 and 1968 dated Hedwin Maunfactuered 2 quart canteens

 

[Gregory]

Two grey covers I bought some time ago. Both made by the Jeffersonville Quartermaster Depot (Jeff. Q.M.D. stamped) in 1942.

[Russell 1910]

1968 dated Flotation Bladder/Collapsible Canteen:

 

 

 

1977 dated plastic canteen. I thought this one was interesting as the soldier decided that perhaps with wet hands that the canteen is too slippery and added OD duct tape for better grip.

 

[Russell 1910]

WWII era mounted hooks, for use with the M41 mounted cover.

 

A British made example is flanked by two US made versions: one with a small snap hook, as used on haversacks and field bags and an earlier version with a large hook similar to that of the M1917 cover. The metal keepers on the US made versions are also similar to that of the keepers on pistol belts (albeit the pistol belt keepers are larger) but these follow a similar evolution in how they were manufactured.

 

[Patrick.]

Have you ever in your canteen collecting days ever encountered the 1 quart canteen with the removable filter, the type associated with SF issue?

[smith]

[Russell 1910]

If you are referring to the screw on piece as seen on page 175 of Shelby Stanton's "US Army Uniforms of The Vietnam War", no I have yet to run across one of those.