Sardine can recovered from the Cold Harbor, Virginia Battlefield. Click picture and "Detailed Description".
Civil War sardine can. It is made of heavy tin and measures 4” x 3 1/2”. During the Civil War these tins of sardines were very popular judging just by the amount of discarded cans recovered at campsites and battlefields. They were not issued by the government, but the majority was acquired from the camp sutlers or sent from home. This example is marked on one side with "Cold Harbor".
What is truly unique with this can is that the lid is still present because only being cut open on three sides, not removed and discarded as most are. Another interesting point is that the dirt from the battlefield still remains inside. There are similar examples of these type of sardine cans in Excavated Artifacts from Battlefields and Campsites of the Civil War, by Stanley Phillips (see pictures). This piece has not been coated by any kind of varnish, but remains just how it was dug.
Manufacturer: N/A
SKU: 0704111
