Treasures Abound...

[St. George]

I like GAR/UCV memorabilia.

I collect the various Ladder Badges, pins, ribbons and medals, and the like.

I've even written about it in 'North-South Trader's Civil War' magazine - with a smattering of information here, as well - and have a couple of articles currently in the hopper - expanding on them as I find interesting things.

Consequently, I keep my eyes open for all manner of Veteran's memorabilia, since other folks also seem to find it interesting, and a piece or two can add to your Impression, since pretty much all men of the time had served, and even the women had their patriotic organizarions as well - with many variations on the theme of commemorating those sacrifices made by their families.

The other day - something surfaced...

Most Veteran's memorabilia consists of a badge or medal or other souvenir, and they're fairly common - especially around the larger cities that held Conventions.

This was different - it actually has a post-convention use beyond being worn at a local Post meeting.

It's a pocket flask...

One of the unifying phrases of the time was 'We Drank From the Same Canteen' - signifying the pure 'humanity' of soldiery.

This became even more evocative after the War, as those men aged, and feelings mellowed, and the souvenir sellers/sutlers exploited this with celluliod pins and buttons - but the Philadelphia firm of 'A.Ledig & Son' produced a truly 'usable' souvenir in the shape of an issue canteen - complete with correctly-made cork stopper and chain.

Helluva deal, when you think of it - a canteen whose contents could be shared with compatriots that could also be used as a personal flask later on, and in a time when a large portion of men enjoyed a 'wee taste of the crayture' - it was both handy to own and signified wartime service at the same time.

It's complete - made of pewter - with a tasseled Red,White and Blue braided cord that serves as the 'strap', and the boss on its center features an intertwined 'GAR' in brass.
It measures 4 1/2" across and is about 1 1/4" wide at the center.

Whether is was sold 'filled' is anyone's guess - though no doubt a purveyor of spirits was nearby - small funnel at the ready.

Keep your eyes open - treasures abound...

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Will Ketchum]

Sounds like a great find.   It is something that I would use myself.

Will Ketchum

[St. George]

Well, there is that thought...

Did I mention that it doesn't leak?

I had to make sure...

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Dr. Bob]

Doesn't leak is important.  I bought an nice pewter flask off of eBay which has an invisible leak where the cup/cover sits on the body.  I can probably get it fixed.  Would be worth it too. 

[St. George]

I'd had that problem on a piece I was repairing.

I took it to my jeweler and we both pondered a 'fix that didn't look like a fix' - which is a bit of a trick.

Soldering's heat would've changed the pleasing aged pewter color, you see.

Both of us thought 'J-B Weld'...!!

Oddly enough - it worked perfectly and was undetectable after being carefully pressed into the seam with a flat toothpick and then wiped clean.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Dr. Bob]

St. George,

Cool!  Thanks for the great idea.  I'll have to look into it.  If I can manage it, I'll bring it along to the Convention!  Again, THANKS!!

[Will Ketchum]

Ahh Yes JB Weld......duc tape in a tube!

Will Ketchum