German M1893 Feldflasche

Canteen is a German M1893 Feldflasche, made of aluminum with a wool cover and leather harness. An aluminum pull allows the cork stopper to be removed. A clip on the harness may have attached the canteen to a drinking cup (Trinkbecher) or bread bag (Brotbeutel). The harness down one side of the canteen is inscribed, "BATTLE OF SARREBUCK" and "ME," or possibly "MF". The first inscription may refer to several possible events: the Battle of Sarrebruck, also known as the Battle of Saarbrücken, took place in 1870 at the start of the Franco-Prussian War; the Allies also undertook bombings and raids against Saarbrücken during World War I; and lastly, it may instead be a corruption of Sarrebourg, on which the French advanced during the Battle of Lorraine in 1914. The other side of the harness is inscribed, "PROPERTY OF SGT ELDRIDGE A.E.F. FRANCE".