Item:
ONSV7719

Original U.S. WWI M1910 Canteen Marked with Many Locations with WWII Cup in British Carrier

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Set Available. This is one seriously interesting piece of WWI & WWII memorabilia! U.S. canteens were basically the same in WWI and WWII, except for the cap, so when WWII broke out, many M1910 canteens were pressed back into service. If the rest of the canteen set was lost, it would just be refit with a replacement cup and carrier. In this case the last carrier it was fit with was in fact a British manufactured U.S. carrier, dated 1945. It is in good shape, with the expected wear, and has the correct clips on the back for a U.S. pistol belt. The maker name unfortunately is too faded to read.

The cup is also WWII issue, and is the standard aluminum with a steel handle, made by B.E. CO. (Bellaire Enameling Co.) in 1944. It is in good condition, though the galvanized coating on the handle has unfortunately degraded, so it is a bit oxidized.

The most interesting part of this set by far is definitely the canteen itself. It is a U.S. WWI 1918 dated M1910 seamed Aluminum example marked ACA, which stands for the Aluminum Company of America, today known as the massive U.S. industrial giant Alcoa. This canteen possibly saw service in WWI, and then in WWII, and the entire exterior has been COVERED with various names of Cities, Landmarks, Locations, and other information. It still has the chain attached to the aluminum cap, which itself is marked U.S.A. / A. F..

This is just a short sampling of the various inscriptions on the body:

- HMS DILWARA - A British WWII Troop Transport Ship
- SALERNO
- ITALY - AFRICA - INDIA 
- TOBRUK
- PORT SAID

We are not sure why all of these locations are marked on the canteen. Are they where the owner of the canteen has been? Or where the canteen itself has been? A great an interesting piece, with loads of research potential.

Ready to display!

  • This product is available for international shipping.
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