Civil War Tin Drum Canteen

Civil War-Era Militia Tin Drum Canteen - Inventory Number: CAN 200

Civil War-era tin drum canteen is a classic example of the utilitarian gear carried by early-war militia and volunteer regiments. Featuring a flat, circular body with a center-spout design, this style predates the mass-issued Union bullseye and smoothside canteens, making it a rare survivor of the transitional period when state-supplied gear was still in use.

Crafted from tinned sheet iron, the canteen displays typical soldered seams and an untouched, darkened patina from age and field use. It bears no visible maker’s mark, as was common for militia-issued items made by local tinsmiths or contractors during the early 1860s. This style was most often carried by troops in the first year or two of the war, before standardized federal issue replaced state equipment.

An increasingly scarce piece of Civil War field gear—ideal for display alongside early-war uniforms, rifles, or other militia accoutrements.

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Inventory Number: CAN 200