Copper Fuel Canteen???

[Posey1114]

This is my first posting. We recently found this in a second hand store and were wondering what it is. In doing a search, it looks like it may some kind of a fuel canteen. We believe that it is copper. It measures approximately 11" high and 8.5" in diameter. It has two brackets on either side with in hole in them. These may have been for some sort of a strap. There is an old cork in the top, but it must have originally had some sort of a screw in cap. There are threads within the hole. There is also a spout that opens and closes. All this is shown in the pictures. Can anyone tell me what it might be and how I can find out for sure?Click image for larger version.

 

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[ARC]

Super neat... I think that or liquor... prolly liquor my guess.
Tis rare.
Is there any makers marks on the bottom and can you show a pic of bottom ?
I will tell you this... you scored hard... don't have to know what it is sometimes to know value when I see it.
The work in it is killer.
Tis a bad booty little "dispenser"

OH and PS...
The condition is killer as well... DO NOT POLISH OR CLEAN IN ANY WAY... other than quick wash WITH LID OFF -- and AIR DRY

 

[ARC]

Oh and you might wanna try a "smell" of inside... CAREFULLY in case it was fuel.
And to add another comment to condition... usually pieces like this almost always have a "ding/dent" somewhere on them...
Yours does not... which moves this to the "top notch" category.
TRY and keep it that way... up and out of the way of potential knock over or drop.

ARRRG and one more thing... if that cap is not "threaded" than it is not the original cap... wondering... sorta appears like cork type is it?

 

[Posey1114]

I've added some additional pictures. There are a few dings on it. There are no markings on the bottom other than the work "Copper". It definitely has an old cork so I was sure it wasn't the original cap. Do you have any idea how I can find out its value?
Thanks for responding.

 

[ARC]

Oh I see the "dents" heh with thse new pics... never "blew up" old ones... for my screen is rather large and mostly do not need to click on the images.
Those dents... especially to top one by the cork can be pushed out maybe... try sticking bent over and doubled or even tripled over wire clothes hanger.. make a "U" sorta shape... tape a "wad" of paper toweling to one end and see if you can GENTLY push the dents out from the inside.
DO NOT FORCE to cause yet another dent

Ps.> the more I think about this piece the more I think it was liquor dispenser... copper was widely used for "food and drink" utensils.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

$3.25/pound until you do know what it is, or what someone interested may pay.

It's not a canteen. It's designed to sit on a table or stand and dispense something - oil, fuel, alcohol, holy water . . . something. The ornate work would indicate it's where it would be seen. So perhaps alcohol for chafing dish burners?

Perhaps a variation of an absinthe fountain? (Victorian crack).

 

[vhs07]

Most likely a tea urn, but I haven't see one similar. It's cool, whatever it is.

 

[Sod Buster]

I'm no expert, but it looks to me like this was piece is made up from other pieces. The spigot looks as if it was added on by someone, and the base looks as if it doesn't belong.

 

[ARC]

The key to this puzzle lies in the height of the nozzle (the tip) from top of table... this will give a clue to the "size" cup... glass... shot glass... whatever.
So measure that please

 

[DCMatt]

Notice the patina of the top half is different than the lower half - like it was mounted in something once-upon-a-time. The lower half is more shiny and there is a distinct line at the "brackets". Though I don't get the impression that the top half was exposed to the outdoor elements.

I agree that this is a "repurposed" item.

Not that it helps ID the item but I checked "42nd and Leidy Ave". It seems to be Philadelphia. I did not find any store called "Ring's".

Cool piece!

DCMatt

 

[Posey1114]

The height of the nozzle, from the tip to the table is approximately 2 1/4".

 

[digging wv]

I'll throw in my two cents. I wouldn't try to pop out any of those dents and dings. Especially the one on the outer rim near the cork. The pic looks like there is a bit of damage to the seam at the edge. Trying to pop it out may cause more damage that it has now. Myself, I would leave it as is.

 

[ARC]

The height of the nozzle, from the tip to the table is approximately 2 1/4".

So "shot glass" size.

 

[Posey1114]

That's what I thought. Certainly couldn't get anything much bigger than a shot glass under the spout. Sooo, do we think it is a liquor canteen that maybe has been modified or is there a chance it came this way??

 

[bigfoot1]

great item.following are only my best guesses from what I could find.
a)the engraving style and motif look like they may be turkish.
..
the design of canteen itself..also turkish possibly
....

perhaps used for tea..sold as tourist item.It looks like it had strap and,"holster".very nice.basic shape and style is hundreds of years old..this one is golden,chineese..400 yrs old.


these are navajo tribe..

..
gonna be tough to nail it down I guess