Original Canteen Prices?

[Pvt. McNutt]

So I was going through my local antique mall today, when I came across a beautiful bullseye canteen with philly makers marks and original cover, sling, cork, twine... everything was there. I'm almost sure it never left the warehouse, as it showed no use but age.

Anyway, beautiful piece, but again it was a military case, so most of what the owner had was pretty overpriced. His original asking price was $550, but after a phone call he said he would go down to $425. I expected that the thing was worth $300 tops, so I went ahead and passed.

After getting home and looking online, I found places like horse soldier, ebay, etc. were all asking comparative prices for comparative items. So I'm curious here, is this what the average really is for unissued fed canteens these days? I'm sure there are guys who will remember paying under $100 for them not so long ago... so are they really this high or am I looking in all the wrong places here?

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Re: Original Canteen Prices?

Yes, $500 seems to be the median price I've seen originals in good condition go for these days. Ebay, auction houses, antique stores, and private sales all seem to follow this trend. We're all going to have buyer's regret for not picking up a couple back in the day when they were well under $100

[Pvt. McNutt]

Re: Original Canteen Prices?

Which makes me wonder if I shouldn't take him up on 425 in order to avoid potential buyers regret if prices go up any more within the next few years...

[dixieflyer]

Re: Original Canteen Prices?

Do you honestly think these things are going to go down in price? I know it's not my money, but if you want a canteen for your collection, I'd go for it.

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Original Canteen Prices?

Which makes me wonder if I shouldn't take him up on 425 in order to avoid potential buyers regret if prices go up any more within the next few years...

I know a Colt collector who often pays top-dollar for examples he really wants for his collection. When people tell him he spends too much, he just says, "No, I'm just ahead of my time."

IF you want a good canteen for your collection, $425 does not seem out of line for what you describe as a minty example. And, you'll never go wrong buing high-condition items. I don't think the price is out-of-line, but, even if it was, unless you plan to sell it soon, it is still a good investment.

Here are some examples that have sold for about $1000...

http://historical.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=6015&lotNo=57392

http://historical.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=6015&lotNo=57391

http://historical.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=6015&lotNo=57390

[Jim Mayo]

Re: Original Canteen Prices?

Do you honestly think these things are going to go down in price?

Actually canteens prices seem to have dropped (slightly) over the last 4 or 5 years. Probably the economy but the dealers don't sell them for less than they have in them and I suspect the profit margin is smaller. Prices do seem to be climbing as the 150th nears. Prices of canteens will also depend on type of sling, material and color of cover, style of canteen and overall condition. My advice is to buy the best examples of what you want. They will hold their value.

I would be very careful about buying what is advertised as an unissued canteen. With the quality of reproduction slings and covers you have to look at the canteen itself, the sewing of the cover and everything else about the particular canteen you are buying. Stopper, sling, chain or string and spout had all better be right on but will usually show some discoloration from age. Since the one you are looking at has a makers mark in the Pewter spout, it sounds like it may be OK. Examine the cover, string, strap and stopper carefully.

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

[J.H.Berger]

Re: Original Canteen Prices?

Was it complete with strap , cover and cork?
For the bare canteen 425 bucks seems too high for me if complete, it is reasonable.

[Pvt. McNutt]

Re: Original Canteen Prices?

It was indeed complete.

It wasn't advertised as unissued, but the actual tin showed almost no wear other than a very slight slight rusting on a small spot bare of the cover. As far as the cover and sling go, unless the dealer has found a way to age fabrics by a good hundred and fifty years, everything was original to the canteen. It was in beautiful condition, but the cover and sling were both fragile, so I'm highly doubting any forgery there. If it was, he did a dang good job... The last thing I tried to look carefully at was the stopper, which was almost identical to those seen on your page, Jim. Again, I'm almost positive it was also original to the canteen.

Well, you boys have convinced me. I'll be headed back tomorrow...

Mr. Mayo, or anyone, recommendations on storage once I pick her up?

[J.H.Berger]

Re: Original Canteen Prices?

Have a look at the spout! if there is no soldering seam on the outside of the spout conecting it with the collar it is an indication for an original. Especially if you can see that the tin spout is upset and inserted ina smaler diametre hole in the collar and then soldered from the inside of the canteen. This is how the bullseye canteen pouts should look like. Then compare the canteen spout with other originals from the same maker. O' Donnels book is very good for that purpose. There are only few good repro spouts on the market and these are mostly the early ones with the small lip.

[Jimmayo]

Re: Original Canteen Prices?

It was indeed complete.

Mr. Mayo, or anyone, recommendations on storage once I pick her up?

Easy to take care of. Keep it dry and out of direct sunlight so the cover won't fade.