French Canteen Model 1877/35, World War II

French individual model 1877/35 canteen reconditioned for World War II with its khaki cover.

Two-liter canteen with two necks. Both caps are present. The smaller wooden cap has been sawed or cut by the soldier, as was commonly done from 1914 onward, since this cap was poorly suited to the new conditions imposed by the war.

The long tawny leather strap is original, though partially cut in one spot visible in the photos. The strap buckles are made of brass.

All metal eyelets are intact on the cover, along with its drawstring.

This canteen, witness to two world wars, is in fairly good condition, with moth holes visible in the photos.

In 1914, the French army used two different canteen models with varying capacities: a one-liter canteen for metropolitan troops and a two-liter canteen (or two one-liter canteens) for soldiers stationed in warm regions (Colonial Infantry, french African army). In 1915, due to water supply challenges on the front lines, the two-liter model was gradually distributed to all armed forces.