18th – 19th Century Wagon/Cannon Axle grease bucket

This is another unique item being offered, it is wooden bucket which held grease to apply to the axles of wagons, limbers and cannons. It stands 9” high, the lid 8 ½” x 5” and the base has a 5” diameter. It still has the original tarred rope handle, but it is broken – it could be repaired with a piece of black tape if desired.

Greasing wagon axles was an absolute necessity during the 18th and 19th centuries. Proper lubrication reduced friction, lightened the load for horses and oxen, and prevented the wooden wheels from seizing or catching fire from friction. The bucket would likely have hung from the wagon’s rear axle and had a lid with a hole in it to accommodate a small, mop-like brush.

There is an example of this bucket in the NPS Gettysburg Museum and in the Illinois State Museum (see pictures). This would make a nice addition to an early Artillery collection.