HELP! Civil war collectible or later civilian copy?

[lawrence_n]

My apologies, I misunderstood. My friend, in the original post I noted that there is no way the strap is or was originally mated to the canteen. Not only the plating, be it chrome or nickel, but even the construction and style. I now regret not removing the strap since it seems to have become a distraction. If I may clarify, the strap is obviously a much later addition, probaby used to replace the original one which no doubt wore out. I knew it post dated the canteen as soon as I saw it. The strap and it's date or origin is of absolutely no consequence. My interest is solely in the dating the canteen.