Original Item: Only One Available. This is only the second time that we have had one of these rare canteens, and this really is a great marked and dated example! The U.S. model 1917 Mounted Cavalry Canteen, as the name implies, was designed for use by Cavalry. As WWI spelled the end of any major use of mounted cavalry, the Canteens were not produced in any large number.

The design used the standard M1910 canteen water bottle, and paired it with a different style carrier. Instead of having belt clips on the back, the carrier has a leather strap that goes around the outside of the canteen, with a steel spring clip on top. 5 canvas retaining loops hold the strap to the canteen, and it would be attached to whatever part of the horse's tack that the soldier desired.

This example is in excellent condition, and looks to have seen only light use during its service life. The canteen is fully non magnetic, made totally of aluminum, even the chain for the top. It is marked and dated U.S. / A.G.M. Co. / 1918, for the Aluminum Goods Manufacturing Co of Manitowoc, Wisconsin. This company manufactured various aluminum goods for the military. Unfortunately there was no cup included with the canteen.

The canteen is in good shape, with the expected dents from use and age. The cap is present, with the original cork, and securing chain intact.

The carrier is really in great shape, and is maker marked R.I.A. / 1918 on the underside of the left side flap, for manufacture at Rock Island Armory. The interior felt lining is retained very well, with no mothing or other insect damage. The snaps still have almost all of their original blacked brass finish, and the outer shell shows only light storage wear. The leather strap is also in good shape, though it has degraded somewhat, being over a century old. There is some cracking and surface dry rot, but nothing out what is expected for an item of this age.

A great example of a rare canteen, ready to display!