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MODEL 1878 CANTEEN - ID'd TO THE
1ST INFANTRY REGIMENT -
WITH THE EARLY MODEL 1874 NARROW LEATHER CANTEEN STRAP:
An original Indian War period US Army issue Model 1878
Canteen complete with the early pattern, narrow leather
shoulder strap manufactured at the Rock Island Arsenal.
The canteen is complete with both of the triangular
hangers that were attached as part of the modification
process the arsenal used to convert the Civil War
canteens to the Model 1878 Pattern. The “US” stencil is
clear and legible, and is of the desirable “large”
pattern characters, indicating that this is one of the
earlier stenciled covers. The reverse of the cover
is stenciled with a unit applied identification, "F
[Crossed Rifles] 1 63", indicating this canteen
was issued within Company F of the
1ST Infantry Regiment, to soldier Number 63
on the company roster.
The cover is generally very clean with only some light
soiling around the rim. The cover is solid and free from any wear points or
tears, and the seams are intact. The body of the
canteen holds it shape on the front and the rear
surfaces with no dents or other damage. The original
cork stopper and chain are intact and full form with
only some minor loss of cork at the bottom of the
stopper.
The correct narrow leather strap is in very good
condition - full length with no weak points, complete
with both brass hooks and leather keepers, and the
leather is supple with no flexing or crazing to the
leather surface. These narrow canteen slings have all
but disappeared from the market and are now quite
scarce.
This is the canteen issued to the regular army in the
west, identified to one of the regular army infantry
regiments and bearing no National Guard or State Militia unit
marks, and it is a very solid specimen with the very
desirable and correct narrow canteen sling.
(0216) $275
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