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MODEL 1885 CAVALRY CANTEEN w/ SCARCE SNAP HOOK
LEATHER SADDLE HANGER STRAP – ID’d TO THE 2ND
US CAVALRY REGIMENT: One of the scarcest of the
Model 1885 Cavalry Equipments, this Indian War period US
Army issue Canteen, this specimen features the added
value of being unit identified to the 2ND
Regiment of US Cavalry. Complete with both of the
triangular hangers that were attached as part of the
modification process the arsenals used to convert the
Civil War canteens to the 1878 Pattern, this canteen is
fitted with the very scarce Model 1885 Cavalry Canteen
Strap.
These straps, introduced specifically for the mounted
soldiers as an alternative to the shoulder straps
previously issued to all soldiers, provided a shorter
doubled strap fitted with a steel snap hook on a sliding
loop which enabled the soldiers to securely hang the
canteen on any of the equipment rings mounted on the
saddle.
The strap is pliable, is full length and complete with
all the standing and sliding loops, and the fully
functional original steel snap hook is properly oriented
on its separate leather loop so as to hang the canteen
flat against the saddle. The leather shows very little
evidence of use with no crazing or flaking, no weak
points or excessive wear to the leather, and an overall
bright shiny surface.
The very legible “US” stencil is present on the canteen
cover. Of special note, the front of the cover is
stenciled with three numerals “2” and the reverse of the
cover is further stenciled with a large crossed sabres
figure with a “C” and the numeral “15”, all combining to
indicate this canteen was issued in the 2ND
Regiment of U.S. Cavalry, Troop “C” to soldier number 15
on the inventory roll. The 2ND Cavalry
Regiment, tracing its history back to the formation of
the 2ND Dragoon Regiment before the Mexican
American War, was very active on the frontier west.
There are the expected soiling marks left on the cover
by the years of service and storage, however the canvas
cover is solid with no weak points and no wear spots,
and the seam around the canteen is fully intact. The
cork, chain and spout are all intact and full form.
These Model 1885 Cavalry Canteens
are very scarce and being able to offer a complete, unit
marked specimen such as this one is a pleasure. Easily
one of the most popular canteens of the western Indian
Wars, this set will definitely be a nice addition to
your Cavalry collection and would be an excellent
addition to display on your Model 1885 McClellan
Saddle. (0830) $750
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