U.S. "Bullseye" Canteen

U.S. "Bullseye" Canteen - Inventory Number:  CAN 174

Here is a handsome, maker-marked, Civil War specimen of the Model 1858 ‘Bullseye’ pattern tin canteen in very good condition.  Often referred to as a Philadelphia Depot-style ‘corrugated’ canteen, these were issued to Union troops in the field until the war’s end.  The canteen consists of two circular sections of pressed-tin, formed in an oblate spheroid pattern and soldered together at the rim.  The Philadelphia Depot produced over 1,500,000 such ‘corrugated’ canteens for the Federal US Army.

The canteen exhibits five reinforcing rings extruded on each side, and is wrapped in a dark brown, smooth canvas twill covering that has faded to a mellow brown. Artifact retains its complete original cotton twill, folded carry sling secured through the three iron loops.  The sling is coiled up into a 1½” diameter tight roll and secured with a small thin pin through the body.  Sling is quite clean on the canteen body.  Brown canteen cover is very good condition but exhibits one ¼” diameter hole and few spots of thinning and wear along the rings with light surface grime.

Canteen does not retains it cork stopper and iron pull ring.  Pewter spout is maker stamped with ““C. H. & CO. PHILA.” The bullseye-pattern with its series of concentric rings began in 1861 as an effort to increase the durability of canteen equipment.  Fluid capacity of the canteen was three pints and its liquid contents were kept cool by means of the damp or wet cover. For the collector seeking a fine original Civil War artifact, this canteen accoutrement would make an ideal addition to any grouping.

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Inventory Number:  CAN 174