Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice used condition U.S. M1878 Canteen with the standard tan canvas cover. Stencil markings on the front are still visible and easily readable, and there are no markings on the rear. We have not been able to locate this unit in records, making this a nice research opportunity. The owner that this canteen was originally issued to would have taken part in medical duties as a result of the fighting later on in the Indian wars and/or the Spanish-American War.

Stencil Markings:

The canteen is complete with the original cork stopper, which is still attached by a chain to a loop around the canteen's neck. The leather shoulder strap is unfortunately missing, however both of the clips are still attached to the triangular side bales.
There are a few dents on the front of the body, but nothing major, and there are the expected water stains around the nozzle and wear and staining to the canvas.

A great chance to pick up a good example of this iconic canteen, marked to an ever important United States Army Hospital Corps Unit!

Canteen Measurements:
Height: 10 inches
Width: 8 ½ inches

The United States Army Hospital Corps was organized in 1886 in order to recruit and retain competent medical enlisted personnel in the United States Army Medical Department for field service in the event of a foreign war. Existing Hospital Stewards were not trained to perform duties as field medical personnel. The Corps was recruited from enlisted men who had served one year in the line. After training they were transferred to a post where they would be assigned duties as a nurse, cook or medical attendant. Privates having served twelve months in the Corps could be recommended for promotion. Having passed an examination they were promoted to Acting Hospital Stewards (Sergeant). Promotion to full Hospital Steward (Sergeant First Class) was possible after one year's service in an acting capacity and after having passed a second and more rigorous examination. The peak strength of the Corps was reached in November 1898, during the Spanish–American War, with about 6,000 men serving in the Corps.

In spite of the objective behind the creation of the Hospital Corps, its members were mainly trained for peacetime tasks. Instructions were given in cooking, horseback riding, horse care, first aid, anatomy, physiology, nursing and pharmacy. In 1909, the training contained a basic course of discipline and the duties of a soldier, drill and field work, animal care and horseback riding, anatomy and physiology, first aid and personal and camp hygiene, and nursing for all candidates, and a complete course for those with special aptitude, which added army regulations, cooking, Materia medica and pharmacy, elementary hygiene, and clerical work to the basic course. Examination for promotion to Acting Hospital Steward tested the candidates knowledge in the principles of arithmetic, in orthography and penmanship, regulations affecting enlisted men, care of sick, ward management, minor surgery, hospital corps drill and first aid, ordinary modes of cooking and elementary hygiene, as well as evaluating the candidates physical fitness, moral character and general aptitude. The later examination for promotion to Sergeant had the same content.

The National Defense Act of 1916 disbanded the Hospital Corps, its members becoming members in the corresponding ranks of the enlisted force of the Army Medical Department.