Stave and hoop canteen. N.p., 18th c. Approx. 5 x 6 x 7 1/2 in. 

A representative example of the canteens used by Continental soldiers during the American Revolutionary War in fine condition. This cask-style canteen, a miniaturized version of the era's wine and liquor casks, is composed of 14 staves, 4 wrought iron hoops, a flat wooden head at either end, a raised spout and the original wooden stopper. The original black paint is overall worn, revealing the natural surface of the wood beneath.

While British and Hessian forces were supplied with tin canteens, shortages drove the Continental army to turn to readily-available wood for their construction. The coopered wooden canteen experienced a revival in the form of drum canteens during the Civil War, when blockades prevented tinned sheet iron from reaching the Confederate States.

[Canteens, Roundlet, Rundlet, Roundlets, Rundlets] [Relics, Militaria, Accouterment, Equipment, Uniforms] [American Revolutionary War, American Revolution, Founding Fathers, Declaration of Independence, Colonial America, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, James Monroe] [War of 1812, James Madison, Battle of Lake Erie, Battle of Plattsburgh, Fort McHenry, Battle of New Orleans, Treaty of Ghent, Andrew Jackson] 

Structurally sound, no evidence of insect boring - overall very fine condition.