Small Drum Canteen

[VMI88]

I see these small drum canteens at Civil War shows but I've never been convinced they're Confederate. Are they a private purchase item, maybe for whiskey? An officer's item? This one is 4 1/4" wide, constructed like a Confederate tin drum canteen, with the remnants of a very old leather sling. Any thoughts on what these are?

 

[captaindrew]

Miners used small tin drums to carry lamp oil into the mines, could be one of those, they looked very similar to canteens but smaller

 

[7thWisconsin]

Remember that a lot of civilians carried canteens around then too: farmers, miners, etc. Every canteen was not a military issue item.

 

[Package4]

I see these small drum canteens at Civil War shows but I've never been convinced they're Confederate. Are they a private purchase item, maybe for whiskey? An officer's item? This one is 4 1/4" wide, constructed like a Confederate tin drum canteen, with the remnants of a very old leather sling. Any thoughts on what these are?

View attachment 509611

View attachment 509612

View attachment 509613

View attachment 509614

View attachment 509615

Something that is always important to remember when collecting non issue gear, there were approximately 16 million males in the US in 1860.

Approximately 4 million fought, that leaves 12 million needing hats, clothes, guns, leather gear, canteens, boots and shoes. Unless I'd to a soldier a civilian piece should just be considered as such, until evidence can be shown otherwise.

I say this for collecting purposes, you can say that a particular piece is reminiscent of what may have been carried from home to the front.

Always buy the piece and not the story, unless a dyed in the wool provenance..

Regarding, this canteen, it is a period militia canteen very probably used during the war. There are even smaller diameter canteens used by militia and military schools.

 

[VMI88]

Regarding, this canteen, it is a period militia canteen very probably used during the war. There are even smaller diameter canteens used by militia and military schools.

Thanks for that information! And thanks to everyone else who responded. It's good to hear that it's a period military canteen.