This is a very good example of a canteen supplied to the NY Depot, a branch of the Quartermaster’s Office of Clothing and Equipage established in June 1861. This is complete with the stopper and chain, characteristic of NY Depot canteens, has its full-length folded cloth strap, and a cover made of 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 made and issued at perhaps 150,000, but they are seldom seen with covers retaining such nice color.

This has a half-dozen small moth holes, about the size of a pencil eraser, a bit mothing to the nap of the fabric on the lower portion of one side of the canteen, and in strip down the other that probably shows mothing to the nap while a strap was lying over it. In both cases, this is to the nap of the fabric and not all the way through exposing any of the metal. The condition is especially good since it was actually issued and carried. The name “Baker” is crudely carved into the neck of the pewter spout. This is too common a name to narrow down an identification, but is a nice indicator of actual issue and field use. [sr] [ph:m]

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