The Quartermaster’s Office of Clothing and Equipage established an office in New York in June 1861. Known as the New York Depot, it received items made to government specifications by various contractors. Instead of a string or cord to retain the stopper, its canteens used an iron chain, secured to the canteen by a small hole in one bracket, which is a key diagnostic even if the chain itself is missing.

This is a very nice example of a NY Depot canteen, lacking stopper and strap, but with full cover showing only some pencil point moth bites and a good seam that only shows a little of the tin at the bottom bracket. The fabric is light blue twilled cotton and wool, the same as used on enlisted trousers. This is the most visually pleasing of the various colors used on Civil War canteens and dates to 1863 at the New York Depot, with gray wool taking its place in 1864. O’Donnell estimates the total number at perhaps 150,000, but they are seldom seen with covers retaining such nice color as this.   [sr] [ph:m]

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