canteens

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: canteens

Hi,

Luke, I totally agree. He is a great help with information on equipment!!!! Thanks Jim

[lukegilly13]

Re: canteens

I'd like to thank folks like Jim......Jim, you share a lot of information/research and do not complain or lecture about giving it up....our community is in debt to you!

You can search the LOC for images and you can also access several good confederate pictures on the images threads here on the forum...good luck in your search!

[Andrew Kasmar]

Re: canteens

Hi,

I have only seen one tin drum canteen, with a wool jean cover, at a event.

Paul B. Boulden Jr.
Now, it appears you mixed up the question...as a covered canteen will have a cooling/camaflouge affect. I believe it comes down to documentation...and personal prefference...there are far greater tin drum canteens that exists sans the cover...but I have yet to see a tin drum canteen at an event with a cover (despite having now seen a few originals with such).

[Jimmayo]

Re: canteens

Jon: Before you make up your mind take a look at a few originals here.

http://www.angelfire.com/ma4/j_mayo/cscanteen.html

[lukegilly13]

Re: canteens

Just for the record, I purchased a convex sided hot tin dipped tin drum canteen from Orchard Hill. Remember, hot dipped costs $10 more than beeswax lined.....However, i believe it to be a great purchase and is BY FAR the best canteen I have owned. Time will tell if the hot dipped tin outlasts the ol' regular stuff....however, I believe it will. The main thing...after using it, rinse it out with baking soda water and store it with the cork out.
My research on this showed that there are tons of different confederate canteens and different versions of the same canteens. The tin drum seems to show up in pictures throughout the war in the east and west. Yes some get covered...most not. Linen or woven straps seem to be the norm...there are some leather.....
The split leather sling shows up in some period pictures...there's another post ongoing now that discusses the split leather sling.

[Jon The Beloved]

Re: canteens

Thanks Paul! I'll do some searchin'. I know the canteen is important to the impression.. I mean it was a lifesaver to the soldiers of the day.. I'd like to do it and do it right.

- Jon Harris

"Dippin' Gourd Mess"

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Re: canteens

Were the CS Tin Drums ever covered in jeans wool or kersey?

Yes, I've now seen at least two tin drum canteens covered in jeans cloth...and another that appears to be covered in a light-medium weight canvas, which has been soaked with oil.

Is it a better Confederate impression to have an uncovered Tin Drum Canteen because of the cooling action of a cover as well as the camoflauge effect?

Now, it appears you mixed up the question...as a covered canteen will have a cooling/camaflouge affect. I believe it comes down to documentation...and personal prefference...there are far greater tin drum canteens that exists sans the cover...but I have yet to see a tin drum canteen at an event with a cover (despite having now seen a few originals with such).

I'm looking at possibly getting a half flat/half convex hot-dipped regular Tin Drum Canteen (no CS embossed) w/ rolled tin spout. Is this a good purchase for AOT for most of the war?

Don't know...I'm not up on my AOT stuff.

Also, should I get a leather sling for it eventually if I do get a CS Tin Drum Canteen or did these feature mostly woven slings?

By far...the most common slings i've seen on canteens appear to be folded linen slings. That isn't to say that leather, or woven slings weren't used in greater numbers...but if we're talking "in tact" with the canteen...these would seem to be very prevalent...In the end...I believe it once again comes down to what you can specifically document to your impression...and then a matter of personal preference.

Paul B.

[Jon The Beloved]

Re: canteens

Thanks for your inputs friends.

One quick question before I decide and purchase my first canteen.. Were the CS Tin Drums ever covered in jeans wool or kersey? Is it a better Confederate impression to have an uncovered Tin Drum Canteen because of the cooling action of a cover as well as the camoflauge effect? I'm looking at possibly getting a half flat/half convex hot-dipped regular Tin Drum Canteen (no CS embossed) w/ rolled tin spout. Is this a good purchase for AOT for most of the war? Also, should I get a leather sling for it eventually if I do get a CS Tin Drum Canteen or did these feature mostly woven slings?

Any input would be appreciated,

- Jon Harris

"Dippin' Gourd Mess"

[BrisbaneReb]

Re: canteens

The best Federal canteens on the market are Orchard Hill's 'Campaigner Canteens' for $75. So an extra $25 but considering the price of farby canteens its a deal.

However I have to go with Paul B. - a good tin drum canteen (which sell for $50 at both Orchard Hill and S&S) would do best for a CS impression. I have a captured Federal smoothside but I disdain the freshly issued look most 'captured' gear has, complete with jack chain (which btw was only New York canteens) and cover with issued strap. Unless you're really tight for money, this will fly. But if you have a look at most captured Federal canteens you can see they've been well 'Confederized' with different straps and buckles, corks and coverings (often without).
I have a tin smoothside that I have torn the cover off and am waiting on a Hughes, Pendergrass and Snow sling; making it an exact copy of the one on pg 208 in EoG (except two large dents on either side due to my brother using it as a prop in a school movie project). Eventually though I'll have to get a wooden or tin drum canteen, simply because the smoothside restricts me in regards to time and place.

Just my 2c but I hope this helps Jon!

Kind Regards,

[Jon The Beloved]

Re: canteens

To clarify,

Though I do a Confederate impression most all of the time, recently I have participated in mainstream Federal impression events with a borrowed canteen. I am looking for a model 1858 smoothside or any other genarl Federal canteen that may be used across the impressions for around $50.

Thanks again!

- Jon Harris
"Dippin' Gourd Mess"

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Re: canteens

Friends,

Sorry to take us off topic but this threads been buried for awhile. Can anyone advise me, a fresh recruit, about aquiring my first canteen? I will need a Federal canteen, I have been told, so that I may get the most use out of it. Where may I find an affordable Federal Canteen that is fairly authetic, makes a good general impression and costs around $50 dollars.. I do not expect there to be any firsthand by approved or nearly approved sutlers SO I suppose I will just have to keep my eyes peeled at those who are looking to sell here on the AC. I'd appreciate any input. I do have good people around me to show me the ropes of the hobby. I am blessed.

Thanks in advance!

- Jon Harris
"Dippin' Gourd Mess"

Jon,

First...it will help if we know what impression/impressions you plan to be doing.

If your'e planning to do both Federal and Confederate, then yes, a M1858 Federal "Smoothside" canteen may be your best option...if however, you plan to stick with Confederate impressions...then you will find that either a simple tin-drum canteen...or a Wooden "Gardner" variation may serve you well.

There are quite a few sources out there for these...and it would help to define what you plan to be doing...my personal opinion is that we see far too many Johnies wearing Federal gear, and it sure would be nice to see a little more domestic "southern" gear in the field for these impressions.

Off the top of my head:

Orchard Hill Sutler: http://members.tripod.com/dahoude/index.htm
S&S Sutler of Gettysburg: http://www.ss-sutler.com/

I am sure others will follow along shortly to provide more options for canteen sources.


Paul B.

[Jon The Beloved]

Re: canteens

Friends,

Sorry to take us off topic but this threads been buried for awhile. Can anyone advise me, a fresh recruit, about aquiring my first canteen? I will need a Federal canteen, I have been told, so that I may get the most use out of it. Where may I find an affordable Federal Canteen that is fairly authetic, makes a good general impression and costs around $50 dollars.. I do not expect there to be any firsthand by approved or nearly approved sutlers SO I suppose I will just have to keep my eyes peeled at those who are looking to sell here on the AC. I'd appreciate any input. I do have good people around me to show me the ropes of the hobby. I am blessed.

Thanks in advance!

- Jon Harris
"Dippin' Gourd Mess"

[D Harrelson]

Re: canteens

A woodworker from my neck of Virginia and I are plotting a small run of Nuckolls pattern canteens along with a few other scarce wooden items in the next few months. They will most likely run in the $85-$100 range. I just got the diagram and schematics from the MOC last week. Problem is, I showed him the picture of one in CS Echoes of Glory and he was by far taken with the two Gardner pattern canteens on the same page. Had your druthers, what would you rather get at around the same price-- a Nuckolls or a Gardner?

Don Harrelson
Rusty Spoon Mess

[ferraius]

Re: canteens

I got one of the Nuckoll's wood canteens from Orchard Hill Sutlery a few years back and it still holds water without leaking and doesn't taste like metallic Tang! I took it to the big march in Louisiana and not one problem except that I couldn't seem to fill it as much as wanted to. I have had many ask me where I got it but you can't seem to find them around these days. If someone started making more good wood canteens it seems that they should sell. Hell I'd buy another just to make sure I always had one.


Jon O'Harra
Heartless Bastards Mess

[lukegilly13]

Re: canteens

I decided to go with a confederate tin drum. Several people offered it with a rolled tin spout and pewter spout, convex and/or flat sides, beeswax lined, unlined, hot dipped, one spout, two spouts, the list goes on and on. I chose a slightly convex sided with a rolled tin spout....I didn't want the beeswax so I went with hot dipped from Orchard Hill. Ordered it Monday evening, got it this morning in the mail! What great service! thank you all for your help!!!!