This New York Depot canteen has the light blue cover used by that depot in 1863 but replaced by gray wool covers in 1864-65. It is identifiable as coming through that depot by the presence of a small hole in one of the upper strap brackets showing it used a chain to retain the stopper, something used by the state of New York when ordering canteens on its own early in the war and then adopted by the NY Depot in 1862 in supplying canteens to the USQMD system. See O’Donnell’s book on canteens for details.

Use of the light blue cover makes these canteens very attractive and their mid-war date subjected them to issue and use, making them fairly scarce. On one side this shows shows rubbing and wear, and some light and darker brown stains at the upper left, but no holes and very good light blue color. The other side shows a bit more fading and crescent shaped wear spot exposing the metal just above the center, with a small red spot just below that, and some abrasion to the fabric showing as white in the lower center. The original sewn cotton strap is there and complete, though a bit fragile and showing some wear to the edges at points and fraying at the top, which is tied in a loose, open knot.

This canteen has eye appeal and history. It would make a good addition to a basic Civil War collection or infantry display and even for a canteen collector is not an easy one to find. It displays well and adds a bit of color to a display of issue field gear as well.  [sr] [ph:L]

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