Federal use of colored woven canteen straps

[High-Private]

Good morning,

I need to replace the leather strap on my Bulls-eye Federal canteen with a cotton one, and was wondering if there are references or photos of Federals utilizing colored woven web straps on their canteens like the CS troops did at times?

Thank you,

Kevin Coyle

[High-Private]

Re: Federal use of colored woven canteen straps

Good morning,

I need to replace the leather strap on my Bulls-eye Federal canteen with a cotton one, and was wondering if there are references or photos of Federals utilizing colored woven web straps on their canteens like the CS troops did at times? The reason I am asking is that I have one of the stripped woven straps and I was wondering if it could be used until I get a replacement.

Thank you,

Kevin

[Steven Dacus]

Re: Federal use of colored woven canteen straps

Kevin,

Great question. From what I can find, a "decent" amount (relative of course) of brightly colored fabric was purchased to be used as canteen straps. A particular tri-color "patriotic" design featured two bands of blue threads woven on the outside of a white web material with the center dyed red. And order for "One inch colored cotton webbing" was placed with contractor Charles Mount on November 1, 1862. There were periodic contracts for "colored" strap material even as late as 1865. While this was definitely not NUG, you could argue it...especially if your unit had canteens issued from the PA Depot.

(Note: Reference from "US Army & Militia Canteens by Mike O'Donnell")