The official manual refers to this artifact as a “Canteen Carrier” although the Canadian term “water bottle” is generally considered more appropriate. The water bottle nested into a metal canteen cup which could be used for boiling water to make hot tea, juice crystals, etc. and both were then placed in the carrier.
The more recent carrier attached to the utility belt similar to the ammunition magazine pouches – a velcro flap and four plastic hooks and was secured closed with a cotton webbing tab tucked into a plastic buckle. Earlier versions used metal hooks to attach the carrier to the webbing belt.
Canteen and Carrier: The 1960 green plastic canteen (bottle) was issued with web equipment (WE) ’51 and ’64 equipment. A new version of an aluminum canteen cup replaced the WE ’51 canteen cup, but both patterns appear to have been used concurrently. In conjunction with the US, Canada developed a Canadian pattern of plastic canteen (bottle) in 1960. This pattern was adopted by the U.S. and introduced into American service as the M1962.
Mess Tin and Carrier: Aluminum or steel mess tins of the Second World War pattern were initially issued with WE’64 but were withdrawn in the late 1970s, because of a health hazard.
Shown below, Water bottle & Carrier, Cup, Mess Tin & Carrier, Velcro strap to belt.
