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MODEL 1917 MOUNTED CANTEEN – UNIT ID’d – 314TH CAVALRY REGIMENT:  This very nice, complete Model 1917 Mounted Canteen bears a unit applied stencil identifying it as having been issued to a soldier in Company L of the 314TH Cavalry Regiment. 

 

On the eve of the United States entering World War I, the 314TH Cavalry Regiment was constituted in the National Army on May 18, 1917 and organized on April 6, 1918 at Camp Owen Bierne, El Paso, Texas, commanded by Colonel Cornelius C. Smith.  In order to meet the needs of army, the regiment was reorganized on October 16, 1918 into the 62ND and 63RD Field Artillery Regiments and the 21ST Trench Mortar Battery.  All three of the artillery units were demobilized at Camp Jackson, South Carolina in 1919.  

On October 15, 1921, the 62ND and 63RD Field Artillery Regiments and the 21ST Trench Mortar Battery were reconstituted in the Organized Reserve as the 314TH Cavalry Regiment, assigned to the 64TH Cavalry Division, Fifth Corps.  The 314TH Cavalry was activated in January of 1922 with regimental headquarters and 2ND Squadron posted at Lexington, Kentucky, and 1ST Squadron at Middletown, Kentucky, and assigned to the division's 157TH Cavalry Brigade.   

In 1925, the regimental headquarters was relocated to Cynthiana, Kentucky, and was reorganized as a three-squadron regiment on July 1, 1929.  The entire 314TH was moved to Lexington in 1931, then to Columbus, Ohio in 1937, and finally to Dayton, Ohio, in 1939.  

The regiment conducted summer training at Camp Knox and Fort Oglethorpe with the 6TH Cavalry Regiment, hosting ROTC cadets from the Culver Military Academy.  After the United States entered World War II, the regiment was converted into the 545TH Signal Aircraft Warning Regiment on January 30, 1942.  The regiment was disbanded on November 11, 1944.    

This Model 1917 Mounted Canteen presents in very nice condition showing only minimal signs of use.  The cover is in very clean condition with no tears, wear or other damage.  The front of the cover bears a very strong “US”, as well as the unit applied stencil – crossed sabres with “314” above the intersection and “L” below, indicating the troop.  The inside of both of the flaps bear the legible maker’s and inspector’s ink stamps – “Brauer Bro.s MFG. CO.; 1917” on the right, and “N.V.” on the left.  The lift the dot snaps still retain their original blackened finish, and both are complete, function well and show no signs of tearing around the snaps as is often the case.  The reverse of the cover has two handwritten sets of initials, both “JWN” – likely the name of the soldier who was issued this canteen.  Combined with the unit identification, this might be sufficient information to identify the soldier and fully research his service record.   

The matching canteen and cup  - L. F. & C.; 1918 - are both full form with no significant dents and no cracks or other defects and the handle on the cup functions properly.  The handle of the cup is stamped with what appears to be a unit inventory number and a soldier’s initials.   

The original leather suspension strap is full length and is complete with all the hardware.  The strap has some surface flexing, but no crazing or flaking, is still strong and supple, and still retains a nice medium russet color.  An added value normally missing from these mounted canteens, the original elk leather tie down thong is still present, full length, and intact.  These thongs were once available on the loose for completing these canteens, but that supply was apparently exhausted years ago.   

This is a very nice example of the Model 1917 Mounted Canteen which has the added value of being unit identified and complete with all the components.  (0804) $175

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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