Is this a civil war canteen?

[Laura42g]

I have an old metal canteen with no markers. I've tried to look it up online but the closest one I could find was a civil war canteen. All help would be appreciated!

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A Handbook of Civil War Bullets and Cartridges - Grab it through Amazon!

[Hutch911]

Maybe from that time period. But I don't think that is Military issue. If it was it has been modified.

 

[vayank54]

I've never seen one like it. I don't think it's a military issue. I think it might be pre civil war or if civil war made locally under private contract. Is it tin or copper? Also how big is it? Are there any soldermarks on the bottom or shoulder that would indicate strap holders were soldered on. The body of the canteen looks right but the spout doesn't and the handle is odd as all canteens I've seen have 2 or 3 attachments for a strap but no handle also the attachments were soldered on instead of riveted. Whatever it's a cool piece.

 

[Laura42g]

It's about 7inchs tall and 3 inchs width(?) I'm not sure what kind of metal it's made from. Too heavy I think to be tin but doesn't have any of the green tint old copper would have. There are soldermarks along the seam that I took to be repairs of some sort. It's a very cool piece and i would like to sell it but I want to make sure I know what i'm selling first. I will try to take better pictures and post them.

I've never seen one like it. I don't think it's a military issue. I think it might be pre civil war or if civil war made locally under private contract. Is it tin or copper? Also how big is it? Are there any soldermarks on the bottom or shoulder that would indicate strap holders were soldered on. The body of the canteen looks right but the spout doesn't and the handle is odd as all canteens I've seen have 2 or 3 attachments for a strap but no handle also the attachments were soldered on instead of Iriveted. Whatever it's a cool piece.

 

[vayank54]

Did you see if a magnet will stick to it? Old copper won't necessarly turn green. I wish I could tell you how old it is but I'm stumped. while the body of the canteen looks civil war the pieces that are riveted on the shoulder look older than civil war. It's normal to see the solder seam all the way around on civil war and earlier items like that. A civil war canteen normally has 3 loops for the strap to go through. One and the bottom and one on the shoulders on each side of the spout. The spout one yours doesn't looks like any I've seen unless it is some type of water purifier. If you could that better pics that might help. I'd like to see the spout and stopper better if that is possible. Hopefully someone will know for sure what it is.

 

[vayank54]

I found a pic of a smooth sided civil war canteen so you can compare. I meant to ask about the spout on yours. Is it the same metal as the body or is it lead?

 

[Laura42g]

I've taken some more pictures and attached them below. A magnet will stick to it. Is there a way to test to see what type of metal it is?

 

[Laura42g]

Sorry I didn't realize how big those pictures posted as. I did find one canteen that looks similiar to mine online. this is a link to the site. http://www.cowanauctions.com/past_sales_view_item.asp?itemid=31413

http://www.cowanauctions.com/past_sales_view_item.asp?itemid=31413

The handle looks almost the same.

 

[vayank54]

I wish I could be of more help but I really don't know. It's either like Cowan Auctions said, a confederate made by a local blacksmith or an earlier canteen. From the pics it looks like the soldering around the seam and neck is crude. so I do believe it was locally made. It is definitely not a civil war standard military issue. If a magnet stuck to it, it is tin or iron.
Just wondering where you got the canteen and what area you live in.
If I should find out anymore about it I'll be sure to let you know.