Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of the carrier used for the U.S. Marine Corps 5 gallon collapsible "water bladder" style canteen. Having adequate water in the field was always a problem, however bulky canteens were not optimal for moving larger quantities of water. The collapsible canteen was lightweight and took up very little space when empty, so they were great for transporting water back from fresh water sources. The canteens themselves unfortunately usually do not survive due to degradation, so empty carriers are often found, which is not the case with this example.

This fine example was issued to the U.S. Marine Corps, as indicated by the ink stamped U.S.M.C. on the front side and on the internal bladder itself. As far as we can tell, these were generally only issued to Marines, so this is definitely correct. The carrier and bladder are both marked with:

MANUFACTURED BY
INTERNATIONAL LATEX CORPS
DOVER, DEL, U.S.A.
1944

Condition is very good, with the original OD green #3 colors that are retained very well, with some light wear and staining. There is wear and some oxidation on the fittings, however this carrier is fully complete, with all buckles and straps present and functional.

Hydration is key in combat, without water our men and women would collapse as heat casualties. It was very common, especially in the Pacific for the fighting men to go without water, especially due to the Japanese poisoning and contaminating water sources. Items as small as a canteen or a larger water bladder played a very big role in the fight during WWII.

Ready to display!