Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good example of an early U.S. Model 1878 canteen assembled using a repurposed Civil War era canteen body. It retains its tan canvas cover, clearly stenciled U.S. on the front, along with its cork stopper, brass retaining ring and chain, and later adjustable pattern leather shoulder sling.

Following the Civil War, the U.S. military retained enormous quantities of serviceable equipment. Rather than manufacture entirely new canteens, existing Civil War era bodies were frequently refurbished with new covers and carrying straps for continued use during the Indian Wars period. This example displays the combination of an earlier canteen body with the canvas cover and leather sling associated with the Model 1878 equipment system.

The front of the canvas cover retains a very clear:

U.S.

A faint and incomplete Quartermaster Department stencil is visible on the reverse. The surviving portions appear to read:

MASS…
QUARTERMASTER…. DEPT.

This marking may indicate issue through the Massachusetts Quartermaster Department, possibly for use by the Massachusetts National Guard. However, the incomplete condition of the stencil prevents a definitive attribution.

The canteen retains its original cork stopper, secured to the neck by a brass ring and chain. The cork has shrunk with age and displays considerable wear and material loss but remains present.

Also included is the proper later adjustable style leather shoulder sling. The sling remains complete but is in fair condition, with extensive dryness, cracking, and scaling to its surface. A set of inspector’s initials is stamped into the leather, although the initials are not identified in the available information.

The canteen body exhibits scattered denting from service and storage. Its tan canvas cover displays expected staining, water marks, discoloration, and general wear. A substantial amount of newer looking green stitching is present around the upper half of the cover, indicating a later repair or reinforcement that is clearly visible.

A very representative early Indian Wars canteen, retaining its Civil War era body, Model 1878 canvas cover, adjustable leather shoulder sling, stopper assembly, clear U.S. stencil, and intriguing partial Quartermaster Department marking.