Dawn Canteen
B ETWEEN 1861 and 1865 virtually every Union soldier received and carried a tin canteen, making it one of the most readily identifiable artifacts of the American Civil War. This universal issue also accounts for the numerous examples available on today's collector market. At first glance these canteens may all appear to be exactly the same. Certainly the size and shape vary so little from a standard that the casual observer may notice no difference. But important differences do exist, and it is the purpose of this article to detail, date and, where possible, explain the variations which may be encountered.
B ETWEEN 1861 and 1865 virtually every Union soldier received and carried a tin canteen, making it one of the most readily identifiable artifacts of the American Civil War. This universal issue also accounts for the numerous examples available on today's collector market. At first glance these canteens may all appear to be exactly the same. Certainly the size and shape vary so little from a standard that the casual observer may notice no difference. But important differences do exist, and it is the purpose of this article to detail, date and, where possible, explain the variations which may be encountered.
