French Canteens???

[Moonshine]

After borrowing a pards Civil War Canteens book by Sylvia and O'Donnel, it appears these were imported to some extent.

Shouldn't they be represented in the field? Anyone know any more information on these items and if someone can/is reproducting them?

Thanks a bunch!

[packrat]

Re: French Canteens???

I agree....there was quite a bit of French equiptment in use on both sides, all seems not well represented unlike the British Imported items.. my two cents Paul Lopes

[GreencoatCross]

Re: French Canteens???

James,

I recall that Blockade Runner was offering the double-spouted variety quite a while ago but they are no longer available. Carl Giordano offers the single-spouted variety but with four strap brackets instead of the original two lower brackets and two upper wire loops. Axel Ulrich MIGHT be able to produce the double-spouted "petit bidon" for you...he makes a great looking Bartholomae patent canteen and the French variety would probably be easier to make.

[RyanBWeddle]

Re: French Canteens???

After borrowing a pards Civil War Canteens book by Sylvia and O'Donnel, it appears these were imported to some extent.

That is a very ambiguous statement. These types of questions quickly turn into grey areas.

French canteens; Where were they imported? How many? What patterns? Who were they issued to? Where and when were they used? How long were they used?

The scope begins to diminish. Find out if it even appriopriate for your specific impression before just generically carrying an import item on a whim because you feel it should be represented "in the field". . .

[roundshot]

Re: French Canteens???

10,000 M1858 French canteens (Bidon petit de 1 litre) were among the equipments issued to selected Union regiments including the 62nd and 83rd Pennsylvania, 18th Massachusetts, and 72nd New York along with distinctive Chasseurs de Vincennes uniforms in late 1861. Examples have been found on various battlefields, including Gettysburg. See 'French Uniforms, Cloth & Equipage in the Union Army' by Don Troiani in" North South Trader, Vol. XXVI, No. 2". In the 1970s Mr. Troiani found a number of these among the props of a costume company! He further states "There is no indication the Confederates imported any of these and any Southern usage would have been by capture."

Some examples of French equipment of the period can be found on this excellent blog: http://pacofaitlezouave.blogspot.com...bel/collection