This is a French water canteen made from dark gray metal. It is a 2-liter container and would have been widely used by soldiers in the French Army during the First World War. It consists of a large circular body with a flattened bottom and two protruding funnels on its top. The larger of the two funnels is corked with a cork attached to a twine string to prevent it from falling away. The smaller of the two funnels is corked with a much smaller cork. The larger funnel was used for drinking, while the smaller funnel provided a channel for the air inside the canteen to escape. Attached to the sides of the canteen is a large leather strap fitted with an adjustable clip. This strap is attached to the canteen body by two metal rings on either side. There is only noticeable patina on the exterior faces of the canteen itself. The twine cork rope has suffered from fraying along its length. The leather strap remains intact. This type of canteen was introduced into the French Army after the initial 1-liter version was found to be insufficient. This type would also have originally come fitted with a cloth cover in shades of either dark blue or brown. The case on this particular piece is missing. It is now part of the permanent World War I collection of the Iowa Masonic Library and Museums in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This content can be used with the following resources: SS.4.25: Technological Change SS-WH.9-12.26: Iowans Influence World History This content can be used to educate students on how military technology and equipment evolved over time during the early 20th century and how those changes impacted Iowans emerging into a new global world community. This content can also be used to inform students about the impact and involvement of Iowans and other Americans during the First World War. For any use other than instructional resources, please check with the organization that owns this item for any copyright restrictions.
