CIVIL WAR PATTERN 1862 CANTEEN – BROWN JEAN CLOTH
COVERING AND ORIGINAL SLING – VERY RESPECTABLE
SPECIMEN: This Civil War issue Pattern 1862
Canteen features the smooth sided design.
The brown jean cloth cover is intact with all of the
seams securely stitched, having only one wear spot on
the lower edge where it constantly wore against the
soldier’s clothing and equipment when he was on the
march. The cover is otherwise intact, showing some
stains, but overall clean and solid. The cover is
stenciled on one side with the letter “D” and the
numeral “71”, likely unit applied inventory numbers
indicating Company D and inventory number 71.
The original cotton linen sling is present and is intact
with no fraying or stringing. The strap was cut or
broken, and the ends secured with a knot. The soldier
may well have done this intentionally in order to
shorten an overly long sling in order to better secure
the canteen to his body. The sling shows use, but is
not overly worn or soiled and overall I would rate it as
above average in appearance.
The body is full form with no significant deformities,
holes, or weak points. On what appears to be the
reverse side - that side which the soldier placed
against his body - there are two shallow rounded dents
that can be felt through the material. These appear to
have been intentionally positioned by the soldier in
order to provide a hollow in the canteen to rest against
his body and limit - or prevent - the canteen from
bouncing against his hip with every stride. The spout
is very solid and fully intact where it is mounted on
the body of the canteen, and it still retains the
original cork stopper in the throat. All three sling
keepers are intact.
This is a very solid example of a Civil War Canteen, and
while showing signs of use, it has survived in
respectable condition. (0213) $450
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