Description
Authentic WWI British 1903 Pattern Bandolier Canteen
Offered is an authentic World War I British 1903 pattern bandolier canteen, a complete field-issued example comprising the blue-enamelled canteen body, original leather harness, canvas carrying strap, felt cover, and cork stopper. The 1903 pattern canteen was standard issue to British and Commonwealth troops and remains a core artifact for First World War collections.
The canteen features its original blue enamel coating, largely intact with service-age chipping and crazing consistent with frontline use and long-term storage. The interior retains its correct form; the original cork stopper is present and fits securely. A removable felt cover surrounds the body and shows expected wear and compression from use, offering the period-correct insulating layer seen on WWI examples.
Mounted on a leather bandolier harness, the assembly includes the correct canvas strap assembly used to sling the canteen at the hip for easy access. The leather harness shows honest service patina—softened areas, surface scuffs, and age darkening—but remains sound and complete with original buckles and stitching intact. These wear characteristics confirm field use while preserving the canteen’s functional integrity as a complete period rig.
This is a well-documented example suitable for display with British WWI uniforms, trench equipment groupings, or militaria reference collections. The combination of enamel canteen, felt cover, cork stopper, leather harness, and canvas strap presents a wholly original ensemble that illustrates daily soldier life and equipment pragmatics on the Western Front.
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Keywords: WWI British canteen, 1903 pattern canteen, blue enamel canteen, WWI bandolier canteen, British trench equipment, leather harness canteen.
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