Revolutionary War Wooden Canteen, as in museums and books

This is another nice early piece being offered; it is a smaller size Revolutionary War wooden Rundlet Canteen, circa 1770 - 1790. It is slightly oval and measures 5 ¾” wide x 6 ¼” x 4”. It has decorative incised lines giving the appearance of the more common stave constructed casks. The main body was turned from a single piece of wood, with two end pieces inserted.

Revolutionary War Era Army and/or Militia Soldiers would be required to bring a portable water canteen when reporting for duty. This keg was probably made in the early part of the 1700s and would have been used during the American Revolution. The smaller size made it fit easily in a backpack or haversack. Some soldiers would use a nail or tack on each end to allow the cask to be carried from a sling.

There are examples in “Collector’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution”, by Neumann and Kravic (see pictures). In my book "The Civil War Canteen - Third Edition", I discuss these canteens and show similar examples (see pictures). There is also a similar identified rundlet to this one in “The Revolutionary War Museum” in Philadelphia (see pictures)

This canteen remains in very nice condition, with a beautiful untouched patina. This canteen is one of several I recently acquired from an old collection. This is the first time it has been on the open market, and it is truly a great piece of early American History.