EXTREMELY RARE & FINE IDENTIFIED TEXAS CONFEDERATE WOOD CANTEEN.
inv # 02-14836
Classic Confederate cedar wood 7.25” x 2.5”, iron bands and sling hooks, rare cotton canvas sling with roller buckle. Canteen is nicely carved with star enclosing “5th“ and letters “TEXAS” surrounding. Reverse carved “John S Hafner / Co I / 4th Cpl”. You will not find a much more compelling folk art carved canteen that we can date after his promotion June 1863 till his next promotion in September. This would have been the canteen Corporal Hafner carried at Gettysburg where Hood’s Texas brigade was heavily involved.
John S. Hafner enlisted March 17, 1862 into Company I, 5th Texas infantry at Independence Texas. He was promoted to 4th Cpl. June 23, 1863 and was paroled at Appomattox as a 4th Sergeant April 9, 1865.