Revolutionary war period wooden canteen, also referred to as a "rundlet, rum keg or swigler". These type canteens were popular from the 1750's through the 1850's. This one is constructed of 10 individual wooden staves. These type canteens were normally held together with the use of iron rings. This one is different, as it has no rings. I believe that this little canteen is made of one solid piece of wood. There is no separation between the staves or end caps. The wood has been painted brown and gold long ago. A plug is with the canteen, unfortunately it is a modern replacement. I've read that later on during the war the colonists used these as small powder kegs to store fine grade powder used for pistols and muskets. The kegs produced specifically for black powder had copper bands, less chance of a spark occurring. Examples of this type canteen can be found in Neumann and Kravic's book "Collector's Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution" pages 61 - 64. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention, and recycling! This is a very iconic relic of the colonial period and would look great in your war room.

Item # AA1330

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