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MODEL 1904 CANTEEN WEB STRAPS – MARKED ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL AND DATED – EXCELLENT CONDITION:  Introduced in the 1905 dated Ordnance Department Manual Horse Equipments and Equipments for Officers and Enlisted Men, this “Y” shaped folded webbing strap was the last canteen strap for the last of the ovoid canteens issued to the U.S. Army soldiers, the Model 1904 Canteen.  Issued to all soldiers, mounted and dismounted, the snap hook at the top of the strap was designed to attach to one of the rear grommets on the lower edge of the pocketed cartridge belts, and it was large enough to be snapped to one of the equipment rings on the McClellan Saddles. 

Years ago these straps used to be available at collector’s shows in the arsenal packaged bundles of ten or twenty, still wrapped with the original twine – one of those accoutrements we thought would last forever.  They have gradually disappeared from the market, and are now, like everything else, becoming less and less common in this condition. 

I have the following straps, each listed below with a full description and accompanying photographs.

 

NO. 1  MODEL 1904 WEB STRAP – DATED 1904:  This canteen strap is in “like new” unissued condition, showing no evidence of having been issued or used.  The web material is clean and bright, the arsenal ink stamp – “R.I.A. 1904” is fully legible, and the brass fittings still retain their arsenal applied darkened finish.   (0115)  $65

 

NO. 2  MODEL 1904 WEB STRAP – DATED 1905:  This canteen strap is in “like new” unissued condition, showing no evidence of having been issued or used.  The web material is clean and bright, the arsenal ink stamp – “R.I.A. 1905” is fully legible, it is stamped with the inspector's initials "C.B.G.", and the brass fittings still retain their arsenal applied darkened finish.   (0116)  $65

 

NO. 3  MODEL 1904 WEB STRAP – SCARCE DARK GREEN VARIANT:  This canteen strap is in “like new” unissued condition, showing no evidence of having been issued or used.  This strap differs from the standard specimens shown above in that it is manufactured of a heavier dark green webbing, and hooks which attach to the canteen are snap hooks rather than the standard open hook found on the khaki versions.  Otherwise the size, manner of assembly and metal fittings are identical to the khaki versions.  This variant is not common, however they have been found occasionally in small numbers - less than 1% of the total - in original boxes of the khaki straps, so apparently they were made and issued during the same period.  It has been suggested that the dark green versions were made for the Marine Corps, but there is no documentation to support that idea. 

The web material is clean and bright, and the brass fittings still retain their arsenal applied darkened finish.   There is no arsenal name or date stamp.  There is some minor corrosion to the faces of the iron rivet which secures the fold in the webbing at the top, and there is some minor corrosion on the leafs of the clip springs.  

An interesting variant to add to your collection of canteens.  (0407)  $90

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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