RARE - US Model 1858 Civil War canteen, dated “1864” strap – only second known example

Being offered is a Model 1858 Smoothside canteen, complete with original linen strap and brown-grey woolen cover. It has the stopper with chain, and the pewter spout is marked with “A. JEWETT”. Albert Jewett & Co. of New York City was the north’s premier canteen maker.

The rarest part of this canteen is the sewn cotton shoulder strap. It is marked with “Contract / Aug. 12, 1864” and it is followed with “T.F BAYLES / U.S. Inspector / NEW YORK”. Two entirely different “Bayles” marks appear on most other New York Depot canteens inspected during 1864 – 1865. Many of Jewett’s shoulder straps show the inspector’s name, but there was only one known example that includes the 1864 contract date until the discovery of this one.

That one is pictured in “U.S. Army & Militia Canteens, 1775 – 1910” by Mike O’Donnell. It is in the collection of Don Troiani, historian and nationally recognized artist of military subjects, and in the book it is stated as “….the only known example….” (see pictures).

I have over 250 canteens in my own collection, and some with Bayles markings, but this is the first one containing this extensive provenance. In my book “The Civil War Canteen – Third Edition”, I show similar examples. This is a rare opportunity to add a very rare canteen to your collection.