US Canteens - Guaging Demand

[LibertyHallVols]

Trying to figure out the level of demand for Fed issue canteens.

See this post for more information:

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?35299-US-issue-canteen-reproductions

Thanks!

[JimKindred]

Re: US Canteens - Guaging Demand

John,

Folks might jump all over a authentic canteen in the $50 range but if it were $150 plus they might not be so willing to buy one. The poll does not take price into consideration.

[GWagner]

Re: US Canteens - Guaging Demand

I agree. A covered federal canteen in the $50.00-$65.00 range would be fair.

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: US Canteens - Guaging Demand

True. But I was trying to guage demand, not price point.

Using WW&Co as a benchmark, quality canteens currently run in the $70-80 range for Federal. Sam Doolin's Gardner-pattern wooden canteens have been fetching $100 routinely on the used market. So, I don't think we'll ever see a good $50 Fed canteen again.

[Pvt. Shattuck]

Re: US Canteens - Guaging Demand


Prices certainly have gone up, but why the Army charged G GrandDad $.34 instead of their cost of $.44 is a mystery. And why did he destroy his canteen anyway- to make a fry pan?
I for one would be interested in an accurate repro.

[AndrewGrim]

Re: US Canteens - Guaging Demand

I said no, only because my Federal Canteen is in real good shape and not leaving the gear box much anymore. My CS canteen only has another season or two left.

[Dbackfed]

Re: US Canteens - Guaging Demand

I said maybe. I bought a smoothside canteen from the same maker who supplied them to the Jersey Skillit Licker. It's held up fine through 9 or 10 seasons of hard use. Even the canteen strap has held up. But I know members in my unit who need a good canteen and Orchard Hill and Jersey no longer make them.

[J. Donaldson]

Re: US Canteens - Guaging Demand

I'm a maybe, and the only for that is because my current canteen is not quite ready for replacement. Three years ago when I was gearing up, I was surprised to find a lack of quality vendors offering canteens. I truly regret getting rid of my Orchard Hill canteen when I went on hiatus from the hobby.

[Abrams]

Re: US Canteens - Guaging Demand

I'd go $75-80 for a good Fed canteen. I too have one I got from the Jersey Skillet Licker, and its been a dandy. Getting that good metallic taste which tells me it may be rusting inside, so I'd like a back-up.

[brown]

Re: US Canteens - Guaging Demand

Particularly if it had the correct tin spout of the Cin. O. canteens.

[Brandon Ledvina]

Re: US Canteens - Guaging Demand

I said maybe just because I can’t afford one now but it is towards the top of my list of things to buy. Would defiantly be interested in the future if its not a limited run and maybe even then I still might.

[Jeremy Bevard]

Re: US Canteens - Guaging Demand

I'm thinking about getting a new canteen now. I would pay up to $100 for a accurate covered canteen with a sling.

[JimConley]

Re: US Canteens - Guaging Demand

I chose, "Yes!"

This is the reply that I posted on Jan's thread:
I’m surprised that no one has mentioned Mike O’Donnell’s book yet. Great resource! After I read that book, studied the photos, etc, I found that many of the better reproductions were simply incorrect in more ways than I had previously realized. As Curt has mentioned, the shape and body aside, a lot of the problems lie with the spouts.

This is actually a topic that a messmate and I have been discussing for a few years, especially since O’Donnell’s most recent book.

Jan,
I, for one, am on the same page with you. It’s difficult to get guys to purchase a proper coat that costs several hundred dollars. But, I would think that something basic, like a properly made canteen, would have been something folks would have a higher demand for.

There is talk that a properly made canteen in the $50-$75 would be fair and sought after. I realize after buying canteens better than most (yet still off the mark) in the aforementioned price range that adding a cover and proper sling will easily put the finished product in the $100 range. I don’t think that price is gonna scour. A properly cared-for canteen will last a LONG time. I’d have no issue paying over $100 for a properly made canteen that is true its original despite the additional cost to cover it and add a sling. Even a grand total of $200 for a finished product would be worth the years I would get out of it, others will disagree.

[lukegilly13]

Re: US Canteens - Guaging Demand

I said "no" but only because I fought this battle last year. I could not find a repro Cincinatti Canteen that I was happy with so I eventually had an original spout put on a repro body. I'm pretty happy with it after buying and sending back several.

[Lucky]

Re: US Canteens - Guaging Demand

I voted yes. Preferably a Cincinnati Depot.