This is the real deal!
This is a Vietnam War issue M-1967 2 Quart Canteen with a 1972 dated canteen cover. The canteen is the Hedwin version made in 1968. It is in excellent condition and it holds water. The cover is in used, excellent condition. It includes the canvas GP carrying strap.
Starting in WWII, the U.S. Military recognized the need for canteens with a far greater carrying capacity than the standard metal 1 Quart canteens. Due to advances in plastics and nylon, collapsible canteens could be manufactured that were exceedingly lightweight. But due to cost, complexity and the end of the war, the designs were shelved. The desperate need for portable water carrying bladders was a high priority at the beginning of the Vietnam War. A handful of prototype designs were deemed unacceptable. The ubiquitous, square, 2 Quart OD bladder design proved successful and highly popular. After trying canvas, and impregnated canvas covers, the Army settled on the nylon cover. The M-1967 cover was only produced for a couple of years before being redesigned in the LC-1 gear series.
This is the early LC-1 type cover. It is different from the M-1967 type design in that the top flap is not scalloped and it covers the entire top of the canteen in a straight line.
These are growing quite rare!