Original Civil War Pewter Whiskey flask, as in books and museums

This is another nice piece being offered, it is a Civil War Whiskey Flask. It is made of pewter and measures approximately 6” x 3” x 1 ¾”.  It has a threaded collar with a pewter cap - the screw threads work fine. The pewter bottom is removable to serve as a cup for sharing a drink with a comrade. There are no markings, typical of the era.

During the Civil War, many soldiers were known for their drinking when the opportunity presented itself – there are stories of high-ranking officers who were intoxicated while leading their troops in battle. In my book “The Civil War Soldier – His Personal Items”, I go into more detail about the habits (good and bad) of the common soldier (see pictures).

Flasks such as this were popular because they could be concealed in a jacket pocket or haversack. There is a screw top pewter flask in the Gettysburg National Battlefield Museum that was recovered at the “Slaughter Pen” shortly after the battle (see pictures).

Also, there is a similar one in The National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (see pictures). This flask shows its age but is in great shape with its untouched patina, only showing the typical signs of use.  It would be an excellent addition to any Civil War collection.