Wooden Canteen Marked "USTATES"

This extremely rare wooden soldier’s canteen is marked “USTATES,” indicating Continental Army usage. Alarmed by chronic shortfalls in arms and equipment caused in part by thefts and negligence, the Continental Congress directed in February 1777 that all the arms and accoutrements belonging to the country should be marked to show ownership by the United States.
Object Details
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Canteen
United States of America
ca. 1777
Wood (pine or cedar, oak)
Museum of the American Revolution
2003.00.0033
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