WW2 Water Bottle

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1944

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Overview

An aluminium WW2 US water canteen & cup. The canteen has one quart capacity with a curved "kidney shape" cross-section. The screw-on bakelite cap has a chain that has become detached from the metal eye on the canteen body. A metal cup with a folding handle, that could be used to prepare coffee, soup, etc and nests with the canteen body. The carry case for the canteen is missing.

Historical information

This canteen is also known also as the U.S. Army M1910/43 Horizontal Seam Canteen and was standard issue to US troops during WWII and post war conflicts.

The origins of this canteen go back to 1909 when the Equipment Board for the U.S. military decided to replace the hemispherical canteen in use and with a new aluminium one quart canteen. The basic design features for the new canteen were, it was to be made of a durable light metal, one quart capacity, have a curved "kidney shape" cross-section, have a screw-on cap which would attach to the canteen body by chain, have a metal cup with folding handle that would nest with the canteen body and finally have an insulated cover that would attach to a belt or pack. This design has remained standard for most of the 20th century.

The first M1910 canteens were made by Aluminium Goods Manufacturing Company (AGM Co) in 1910. In 1918 the Quartermaster Corps contracted five domestic companies to manufacture army canteens for troops serving in Europe during WW1. Information regarding maker and date of manufacture were stamped on the rear concave area or bottom. Between 10 and 11 million canteens were produced for U.S. forces in WW I.

During WII Aluminium Goods Manufacturing Company converted to wartime production of more than 400 different items for the armed forces, including airplane fuel tanks, cartridge cases, radar parts, and canteens and cooking sets. Aluminum Goods had plants in both Manitowoc and nearby Two Rivers.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-124-2024.155

Item type

Objects

Material

Aluminium

Width

10 cm

Height or length

14 cm

Depth

19 cm

Themes

World War 2

Inscriptions and markings

On the handle that wraps around the base is stamped

US
A.G.M CO
1944

Contextual Information

By early 1942 canteens were being made of stainless steel as aluminium became scarce as most supplies were diverted to aircraft manufacture. In late 1942 aluminium canteens were reintroduced but with a horizontal seam and a bakelite cap with a cork disk seal and this style this was produced from 1942 to 1945. The new screw-on cap had a recessed top to protect the chain rivet. WW II aluminium canteens have a dull finish, are marked with US, the manufacturer's initials, and the year of production.

According to records, the World War II manufacturers of M-1910 aluminum canteens (Stock Number 74-C-80) include: Aluminum Goods Manufacturing Co. (AGM Co.) (which after WW2 became Mirro); Southeastern Metals Co. (S.M.Co) and The Aluminum Cooking Utensil Co. [TACU Co).

Keywords

WW2

Equipment - World War 2

Place made

Manitowoc
Wisconsin
United States

Year

1944

Primary significance criteria

Social or spiritual significance

Busselton Historical Society

Organisation Details
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