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US ARMY MODEL 1943 EXPERIMENTAL CANTEEN,
COLLAPSIBLE 2 QUART – IN EXCELLENT UNISSUED CONDITION:
This Canteen was originally designed as part of the
Model 1943 Experimental Equipment program which produced
such pieces as the M43 Field Jacket, the M43 Combat
Boots with the buckled top. While the field jacket and
boots, as well as some of the other new equipment was
accepted, this Model 1943 Collapsible Canteen with the
separate bladder did not gain universal approval.
However, obviously enough of them were made, and issued,
in order for the army and marine corps to issue them
even on a limited basis and develop an opinion of the
canteen, and for some to survive to pass through the
surplus market and into in modern collections.
This canteen is commonly referred to by modern
collectors as the “Jungle Canteen” due to its issue in
the South Pacific during World War Two, the army and
marines simply listed it as a collapsible canteen in 1
and 2 quart sizes. There are three Quartermaster Corps
blue prints of this canteen design which are dated March
6, 1945 and the neither the words "jungle canteen" nor
"experimental canteen" appear anywhere on the blue
prints.
As noted, these canteens were made in two sizes – a 1
quart size which apparently was intended to be worn on
the soldier’s belt, and this 2 quart size which was to
be carried on the integral shoulder strap. The 2 quart
size measures approximately 10 inches square.
The canteen consists of an external carrier pouch made
of dark green OD Canvas which contains a removable white
latex bladder which holds the water when filled. The
carrier pouch has a flap which is closed with a web tab
with a lift-the-dot snap and it has two eyelets at the
bottom front, perhaps to allow water trapped between the
carrier and the bladder to drain out after filling the
bladder. The internal bladder is fitted with a Model
1942 bakelite cap which is fill form and still retains
its cork washer and the retention linked chain. The
entire assembly is supported by a 2” wide OD web
shoulder strap which is sewn on both ends to the reverse
of the carrier pouch. The strap allows for the length
to be adjusted with a captive slide with a blackened
finish.
The reverse of the carrier pouch is stamped in ink,
“MANUFACTURED BY - INTERNATIONAL LATEX CORP. - DOVER,
DEL., U.S.A. / 1945" and the internal bladder is also
stamped with the same maker’s information, indicating
this is a matched set which has always been together as
one unit.
Both pieces present in like new, unissued condition,
showing no signs of use or wear. The canvas of the
exterior carrier and the latex of the internal bladder
show no soiling, stains or other defects, there is no
wear to the material, and all of the seams are intact.
Both, including the slide and all the hardware, present
in excellent condition.
This is an excellent example of a fairly rare World War
Two Canteen and one that would never have to be
upgraded. (0602) $350
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