This is a First World War-style, enamelled, water bottle with cork, housed in a felt carrier with a sling.
In early 2WW, the great pressure for military supplies prompted the British Army to issue standard water bottles in 1903 pattern skeletal leather carriers. The “bottle” measures 8 inches high by 6 inches wide.
Description
Blue enamelled metal water bottle with khaki felt cover and leather straps in two rings around the body of the bottle and a strap up each side terminating in a brass ring stopper in its mouth.
B. Grook & Sons 1918 stamped on strap
1WW or 2WW Water Bottle British Commonwealth Forces
An antique dark cobalt blue enameled metal water bottle or canteen of the kind used by the British Commonwealth Forces during the 1WW and 2WW, which was issued from 1903 to 1939.
The Mark VI was the standard issue water bottle for British forces during the Great War and by 1939 they were still in fairly common use. The Mark VI is recognizable by its cobalt blue enamel and thick khaki felt. Cover with the long 18-inch stopper cork cord being stitched directly to the cover. This particular Mk VI has a flat top attached to the body with a ‘tin can’ type seam.