Canteen Stoppers

[Parault]

I have been trying to find out what exactly was used most of the time for keeping the stoppers connected to the canteens. I have looked through the search archives. I have found everything from leather vs cloth straps, smooth side, and bullseye,wooden,and tin. I have found both chain, and cloth keepers on some of the orginals that have been placed online. I know that the chain is the easiest to place on the canteens by some sutlers,but for the most part is not correct. If someone could send me in the right direction as where to look, I would appreciate it.

[Jimmayo]

Re: Canteen Stoppers

http://www.angelfire.com/ma4/j_mayo/uscanteen.html

Basically for M-1858 canteens if the sling keeper had a hole it had a chain. No hole, twine kept the stopper around.

[Charles Heath]

Re: Canteen Stoppers

P.L.,

That info is on pages 164-165, and is also available from other reference works.

[Rebel Yell1863]

Re: Canteen Stoppers

I'd say anything that a soldier could have had access to, like hemp twine, a leather thong. Those are what I use on mine. On page 208 in EOG of the Confederacy, a leather thong is used on a bullseye canteen. Of course no chain would be correct as well....Just whittle a piece of wood or corn cob and use it as a stopper.:D

[rogue]

Re: Canteen Stoppers

At one time the Wooded Hamlet carried three-ply Belgian linen cording that was spot-on to the cording I have seen on originals. Far better and more authentic than a piece of jute and/or twine based on originals. This Belgian cording had some strength to it, and bore up well in field use. Alas, when the management changed they no longer carried this product, nor know of any new source. A 22 inch piece of this stuff was the berries!
Steve Sullivan

[brown]

Re: Canteen Stoppers

And please remember that there would have been a difference between the way it came from the company filling the contract for the US Army, what men in the field would have done to continue using it on campaign, and the way it appears today afterall these years. Issue vs field repair (and on a few post-war veteran or collector changes) is important as you put together your impression.

[Silas]

Re: Canteen Stoppers

Go without a chain or cord. The last couple of canteens I purchased had cords on them. When the cords broke, I also replaced the corks with good seasoned cork from wine or champagne bottles. A little whittling and the replacement corks are good to go.

[Jimmayo]

Re: Canteen Stoppers

At one time the Wooded Hamlet carried three-ply Belgian linen cording that was spot-on to the cording I have seen on originals. Far better and more authentic than a piece of jute and/or twine based on originals.

I don't know if I agree on the Belgian linen being more correct than cotton twine since cotton twine was very common, but you have hit on a problem. The stopper cord which is available and supplied on reproduction canteens in most cases does not even resemble original string. Even considering the age of original stopper string, some of the stuff being passed off as canteen string is laughable. Of course some of the original strings may have been just as poor and that is why they are not around today.

For my canteens, I look for a basic cotton string with the same twist pattern or ply as a sample of original string. I then pull it across a bees wax block while twisting the string tight. I usually keep doing this until I get the right look. It is not just one pull and twist. Usually it comes out as a pretty good copy of original string. A little soaking in tea (prior to waxing) will take the whitness off of it. The bees wax keeps it from rotting and tends to keep the twist tight. It resists breaking unless the sling keeper has a sharp edge which cuts into the string.

[Charles Heath]

Re: Canteen Stoppers

That info is on pages 164-165, and is also available from other reference works.

P.L.,

D'oh! It would help if I mentioned the book, wouldn't it?

That would be the CRRC2 available from the Watchdog. While not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, it is a good place to start reading about a variety of subjects whether you do yank, reb, or civilian.

[Rob Weaver]

Re: Canteen Stoppers

If you use a bit of wood as a stopper, be sure to waterproof it with a good coating of wax or brewer's tar, etc. I had a wood stopper which when soaked became waterlogged and stuck in the spout. In frustration, I cut the spout off with a hatchet. Problem solved for the moment...

I'd say anything that a soldier could have had access to, like hemp twine, a leather thong. Those are what I use on mine. On page 208 in EOG of the Confederacy, a leather thong is used on a bullseye canteen. Of course no chain would be correct as well....Just whittle a piece of wood or corn cob and use it as a stopper.:D