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MODEL 1904 CANTEEN WITH THE ORIGINAL ROCK ISLAND
ARSENAL MODEL 1904 STRAP – EXCELLENT SPECIMEN:
Introduced in the 1905 dated Ordnance Department Manual
Horse Equipments and Equipments for Officers and
Enlisted Men, and manufactured at the Rock Island
Arsenal, this canteen was issued to the early 20TH
Century US Army soldiers as the Model 1904 Canteen, and
was issued to mounted and foot soldiers alike.
The “US” brightly stenciled on the front of the cover is
very legible. There is also a faint arsenal stencil at
The bottom center of the front cover is stenciled with a
fully legible “R.I.A. 1906”, indicating the cover was
produced at the Rock Island Arsenal in 1906. The seams
are all intact and the cover is very solid with no wear
or damage, and only the slightest soiling.
Both of the triangular hangers are intact and the body
of the canteen holds it ovoid shape on the front and the
rear surface has the distinctive round dimple correct
for the Model 1905 Canteen, with no dents from abuse or
other damage. The original cork stopper and brass chain
are present, with the cork body retaining its full
form.
This canteen is suspended from a Model 1904 Web Canteen
Strap which was introduced in the same 1905 dated
Ordnance Department manual. This “Y” shaped folded
webbing strap was the last canteen strap for the last of
the ovoid canteens issued to the U.S. Army soldiers.
Issued to all soldiers, mounted and dismounted, the snap
hook at the top of the strap was designed to attach to
one of the rear grommets on the lower edge of the
pocketed cartridge belts, and it was large enough to be
snapped to one of the equipment rings on the McClellan
Saddles. This canteen strap is in “like new” unissued
condition, showing no evidence of having been issued or
used. The web material is clean and bright, the arsenal
ink stamp – “R.I.A. 1905” is fully legible, and the
brass fittings still retain their arsenal applied
darkened finish. Years ago these straps used to be
available at collector’s shows in the arsenal packaged
bundles of ten or twenty, still wrapped with the
original twine – one of those accoutrements we thought
would last forever. They have gradually disappeared
from the market, and are now, like everything else,
becoming less and less common in this condition.
This is an excellent
specimen of the Model 1904 Canteen with the appropriate
matching strap which would be almost impossible to
upgrade, and will make a nice addition to display on
your Model 1904 McClellan Saddle or on one of the early
20th Century Mills Cartridge Belts.
SOLD
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