Us Army One quart Ethocel Canteen

''U.S.'' STAMPED,1943 DATED AND MAKER STAMPED "A.M.U.S."

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The original M-1910 one quart canteen was made of aluminum. Since aluminum was urgently needed for aircraft, in 1942 stainless steel canteens were substituted for aluminum and alternative materials were investigated. 

A promising idea was to make canteens of plastic, a fairly new material at the time. For this purpose, Dow Chemical Corp. developed a canteen prototype in 1942 made of easy-to-mold Ethocel, an opaque amber (yellow/orange) thermoplastic (ethyl cellulose). The Ethocel plastic canteens were fielded in 1943, but only in limited quantities. Small numbers of these canteens have survived and are of hightened interest to collectors.

The Ethocel canteens used a black resin plastic (Bakelite) cap held by a chain, very similar to the cap on metal canteens used after 1942. Two cap shapes have been noted, as with the WW II metal canteens. The canteen was molded in two parts that were then joined at a horizontal center seam. Its shape was the same as the M1910 metal canteens, with the bottom half and joining seam sized to accommodate the standard M1910 nesting metal canteen cup.

The one quart Ethocel plastic canteen (Stock Number 74-C-85) was made in 1943, during WW II. by producers including:

• Dow Chemical Corp.
• Mack Molding Co.
• A.M.U.S.

Wonderful World War II Ethocel canteen manufactured by AICO in 1943 (and so marked on the bottom of the canteen). Not only are these canteens rarely encountered, but AICO held one of the LOWEST contracts for this canteen, producing only 4,400 in total. No cup or canteen carrier (cover) is present.The canteen remains in excellent condition, showing signs of age, use, and wear. Minor surface scuffs are evident. No cracks or warping. The cap is missing the cork insert, which is easily replaced. Typical white residue is evident. Please see the pictures for more detail.Guaranteed 100% authentic in every respect for life.


In an effort to manufacture a non-metallic canteen during World War II, the US government attempted to manufacture a plastic canteen using Dow Chemical's Ethyl Cellulose Plastic product, called Ethocel. The canteen was manufactured by several government suppliers, of which AICO was one. Canteens started to be manufactured the middle of 1942 and were discontinued by 1944. The canteens were typically issued to Pacific Theater forces. This was a common canteen to find on the USMC web belt, or discarded along the route of Marine advance. The problem with the canteens is that they tended to develop heat stress cracks. The also made the water taste like bitter plastic. In order to combat the horrible taste of the water, soldiers routinely mixed baking soda in with the water when filling the canteen. Later plastics would not have this problem, but this design was unfortunately ahead of its time. AICO manufactured only 4,400 of these canteens. The canteen is made of a two-part mold. Each part being attached at the cup ring. The canteen comes complete with chain, cap, and amazingly no stress cracks. Overall condition is excellent, and it appears like it may have never seen service in the field. HIDE