Authentic Wood Canteen

[Pvt.Smith]

Looking at expanding my kit:

For ANV impression Wooden Canteen, what style would you recommend and from which venter on the approved ventor list. Also why would you recommend that specific canteen and vendor. I am thinking about a Garden pattern Canteen, any suggestion would be helpful.

Benjamin Smith

[bAcK88]

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2165
http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2167
http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2168
http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2169
http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2928
http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2935

Hi Benjamin,

From your research on Confederate canteens in the Army of Northern Virginia, what types were most common? How well does the reproduction of that type of canteen compare with an original with ANV providence?

Good luck searching,
Bill

[hireddutchcutthroat]

You may also want to do a search for wood canteen. You should be able to dig up some answers to your vendor query as well as tips on care and mantainance of a wood canteen. Remember owning a wood canteen is not just owning a piece of kit its a lifestyle :wink_smil

[coastaltrash]

I have to agree with Bob on the last part of his comment. I have owned a Sam Doolin made Gardner canteen since 2003 and I can honestly say it is the single biggest pain in the butt of all time. Don't get me wrong I strongly believe their representation out in the field is restricted by the cost, plus the fact the average reenactor just simply doesn't want to care for an item on a weekly basis.

As far as vendors, try S&S Sutlery in Gettysburg, they sell Sam's canteens and if I understand correctly people are having problems getting in contact with Sam directly so your best bet is one of his vendors.

[westcoastcampaigner]

Ben,

I was just in Gettysburg last weekend and ordered one of Sam's canteens from S&S. They are a little expensive at around $125 but they look great and are made of beautiful cedar. Give Tim a call and he can put you on a list and hold one for you. I believe he said he was going to have a shipment of around 10 or 12 coming to him before Rememberance Day. Cheers.


Josh Sawyer

[hardeeflag]

Try using a wood canteen outside of the South where there is little humidity. My pard ended up with metal rings and kindling because of the wood contracting. I managed to keep mine together with care and really only works if I submerge it and soak it thoroughly as long as possible before use to swell the wood to its maximum size. If hydration is a big factor at an event you make the call if you want to risk it. They are under represented.

[AZFarrier]

I've been lucky with mine. My canteen was my final project for art class in high school. My teacher was a big reenactor and historian so I had to do the research and build it to specification. The sides are a little bigger then some I've seen but my is of a pre war design. After I built it I had to soak it in water for a week to get it to swell. I did use tin bands because leather rots and after some time the tin creates a authenic look. I've had to redo the strap recently and replace the leather strap holders but it still holds water. I have some bees wax available and have to melt it to seal it every spring, but no big beal. I made it in 92 and used it per near around the world (hiking and camping). Finally I have to get another cork for it, I had to use a modern cork and reshape it to look like the originals. If your interested I could post a picture of it but alas my research was on loan and I don't have it any more.

Andy Miller
1st CAL Cav
Arizona Rangers

[Pvt.Smith]

I would agree that a wooden canteen is a lifestyle, and that without the proper care you won't have a wooden canteen anymore. However, the question that comes to mind is why are these canteens falling apart. We still have orginals that are in somewhat good shape, well at least together. Is there a way of drying out the wood before the canteen is put together? If so is there anyone out there doing it?

Benjamin Smith

p.s. Andy and I very interested in seeing a picture, also what advice would you give if someone wanted to venture out and make their own?

[VaTrooper]

I bought my gardner pretty cheap as kind of a "fix er up." It had been in storage for a while and had dried up and the bands were rusted a bit. It took about a week of soaking and it held water fine and I took steel wool and cleaned up the bands. Its great looking canteen now, made by Don Polifka 10-12 years ago, I think.

[Silas]

Andy and I very interested in seeing a picture, also what advice would you give if someone wanted to venture out and make their own?
Don't bother. If you do much wood working, you may possess the ability to make something, but chances are you'll spend a bunch of time making something which does not resemble an original nor work as well as an original.

A hundred and twenty five bucks is alot of money for a canteen, but you won't regret the purchase - providing you take a modicum of care in storing it between events. It's my favorite canteen by far. A quality Gardner pattern canteen is like dotting the "I" or crossing the "T" in one's Confederate impression.

To an untrained eye, a wooden canteen is a wooden canteen. Once you own a Gardner canteen, you really notice the difference between it and the cheap, wooden canteens carried by many proud streamers. Some people espouse a "five foot rule" about impression items. I can spot a farb wooden canteen at ten yards without my glasses.

Here's an original:

http://www.horsesoldier.com/catalog/217-34C.JPEG

Here's a Doolin canteen as shown on a recommended vendor's website:
http://www.ss-sutler.com/products/canteens/doolin_canteen.gif
The Doolins come in both wood and pewter spouts. I own one and highly recommend it. Mine is made of cypress and after several years in the field has a great look. I've had it for four seasons and it doesn't leak. I keep a small amount of water in it - with a slight amount of vinegar - and change the water about every month or so.

Here's a wood canteen sold by a mainstream sutler:

http://www.mercurysutler.com/images/DSC02310.jpg
It's pretty bad.

How about another?

http://www.fcsutler.com/pcanteencswoodecon.gif

This thing is worse than bad.

Here's a wooden canteen sold by another mainstream sutler which looks okay from the photo, but ...

http://www.blockaderunner.com/images/317.gif

... here's the catch as written by the sutler about this canteen:
THIS IS THE MOST POPULAR WOODEN CANTEEN IN REENACTING TO DATE, COPPER TOP, DARK WOOD BODY. WIDE CLOTH STRAP AND CORK. THIS CANTEEN IS LINED WITH FOOD GRADE PLASTIC. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ONE LEAK EVEN AFTER YEARS OF HARD SERVICE IN THE FIELD.
WOODEN CANTEEN #317 $44.95

Food grade plastic? Taste is a little recognized part of the total reenacting experience. The taste of sweet, cool water with a slight accent of wood on a hot day is wonderful. (I remember fondly the spring water on the way up Rich Mountain.) The taste and smell of plastic in my water doesn't cut it.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Mark

Next time you are not looking, I am going to brand CS on the side of your canteen.

[Silas]

Pretty hard to do that when you aren't able to attend events.

[Charles Heath]

Its great looking canteen now, made by Don Polifka 10-12 years ago, I think.

William,

You did well, and this goes back to the essays promoting the idea of having a list of legacy vendors.

[VaTrooper]

William,

You did well, and this goes back to the essays promoting the idea of having a list of legacy vendors.

Some old tymer said it was worth having.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Pretty hard to do that when you aren't able to attend events.

Below the belt! Railroading is not a career its a lifestyle!

[Bill]

I used to make Gardner Pattern canteens and included the following instructions with each canteen I sold. For what it's worth.

A NOTICE TO ALL PERSONS BUYING WOOD CANTEENS made by BILL RODMAN

THESE CANTEENS ARE GUARANTEED TO LEAK!

Over time, any wood canteen made like the originals without a plastic liner will develop leaks. Keeping your canteen filled with water during storage will reduce these problems. Remember, change the water before you go to an event! After a while, strange things will begin to grow in the canteen. I recommend you put a little vinegar in the canteen before you store it. Just before using the canteen wash it out with baking soda, to neutralize the vinegar. A ten percent solution of bleach and water will kill any bacteria in your canteen. Bleach is a poison, and you want to make sure you rinse all of it out of the canteen before you drink from it. I recommend you change the water at least three times.

When your canteen begins to leak, the problem is usually easy to solve. First, wash out the canteen with very hot water. This will warm the canteen and melt out some of the wax already inside. Next, melt about two ounces (1” square) of bee’s wax over boiling water. Caution, do not melt the wax over an open flame. I learned about burning wax the hard way. It was very, very exciting!. Carefully pour the melted wax into the canteen, plug it, and swish it around until all surfaces are covered with wax. I recommend you wear protective glasses during this step, as some of the hot wax may be forced out of the canteen. Allow the wax time to cool, fill the canteen, and check for leaks. Good Luck!

I recommend you use bee’s wax, rather then paraffin, to seal canteens. Paraffin seems more brittle then bee’s wax, and just doesn’t work as well. Besides, I don’t think paraffin existed during the 1860’s.

There is the possibility that your canteen might shrink, and the bands become loose, even if you keep the canteen filled with water. This problem is caused by the wax sealing the canteen too well, but is very easy to fix. Just fill the canteen with boiling water and let it sit until the water cools and the canteen swells back again. After the bands become tight, just pour out the waxy water and refill the canteen with fresh water.

I cannot be responsible for wooden spouts on the Gardner Pattern canteens breaking, or coming out of the canteens. The spouts are the weak link in these canteens. Take notice of how many original canteens are missing their spouts. I make the spouts like the originals, and they are subject to loss or breakage. I recommend you take care not to force the stopper into the spout. This is how they usually get broken.

I hope you enjoy your canteen. If you have any questions, please ask.


Bill Rodman


Co. B, 4th. Texas Inf.

[NC5thCav]

My canteen is lined with beeswax. Doesn't leak a drop, and sure as h*** don't taste like plastic.

[Bill]

One thing to consider. Based on my limited research, Gardner Pattern canteens, didn't start showing up in large numbers, in the ANV, until the spring of 1863.

Bill Rodman