Pattern 1903 water bottle : Australian Army

Brown leather pattern 1903 water bottle and carrier, consisting of a skeleton frame of leather strapping in which the water bottle is placed, and secured by a snapped on retaining strap. The carrier is fitted with two buckles for attachment to other equipment. The water bottle is a blue enamel bottle covered in a drab grey cloth cover. A cork stopper on a retaining string plugs the bottle neck opening.

The British Pattern 1903 equipment was introduced in Australia in about 1904 but had largely been replaced by Pattern 1908 infantry web equipment by the First World War. However, mounted, artillery and transport troops continued to use many of its elements throughout the war. Some of the equipment was still being issued to non infantry troops as late as 1938, and to mounted troops until 1942.