What was the time period of use for the bullseye vs the smooth sided canteen?
US canteens
What was the time period of use for the bullseye vs the smooth sided canteen?
Hallo!
AKA the "M1858" and "M1862" canteens.
CW surplus "smoothsides" were remodeled, recycled, and used through the Indian Wars.
Curt
Last edited by Curt-Heinrich Schmidt; 02-05-2013 at 11:12 PM.
In gleichem Schritt und Tritt, Curt Schmidt
Not a real Civil War reenactor, I only portray one on boards and fora.
I do not portray a Civil War soldier, I merely interpret one.
In the Western Theater, it is generally believed my relic hunters that few if any bullseye canteens appear prior to October 1863 when Hooker brought the old 11th & 12th Corps (the new 20th Corps in 1864/65).
Lindsey Brown
I can't open Jim Mayo's article for some reason, would like to read it, but there is also the Fred Gaede canteen article. Interestingly enough, the Center of Military History's "Survey of U.S. Army Uniforms, Weapons and Accoutrements" doesn't even mention bullseyes vs smootside. Bullseyes were only issued by the Philadelphia depot, so as Mr. Brown states, a rare exception in the West.
Frank Siltman
Cannoneer, Fort Sill Historic Gun Detachment
24th MO Vol Inf
Lawton/Fort Sill, OK
Simple answer, 1862.
If you are making a decision on which type to purchase, are doing a general impression, your unit allows it, than a bullseye canteen at a mid-1863 through end of war event would be okay in my opinion.
If you are doing a specific impression, obviously you want to do a little research on which type of canteen soldiers of that unit, army, or assigned geographic area carried and when. Also check on type of canteen covering and color if known.
Keep in mind to, smooth side canteens could still be found throughout the war.
Joe Musgrove
26th Missouri United States Volunteer Infantry
"I fight for Uncle Abe"
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