Period 1812

[Juanmoretime]

I found this about 100 yards from a probable 1812 soldiers camp. Has anyone seen anything like this. I'm trying to figure out exactly what it is.....Thanks for looking!

Steve

 

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[ivan salis]

does the top open?

 

[Juanmoretime]

It probably opened at one time but it has a band of iron or steel that has rusted around the cap. The container is very thin and light and has a nice patina to it. It's hollow and nothing shakes around inside when you shake it. It was suggested to me it may be a case for matches. Puzzling!!

 

[ivan salis]

a match case is very possible --it looks a bit crushed battle of new orleans related you thinking ? 1814ish

 

[wildrider]

Ummmm. I didn't think they had matches in 1812.

But....I found out differently.

http://www.theoriginof.com/match-stick.html

 

[Juanmoretime]

It opened at the top under the steel or iron band that you can see. The seam in the middle is sealed and probably never opened up there. I don't know if it ever held matches but I guess there were other things that needed to be kept dry it could have been used for. I'm just trying to figure it out. Any ideas would be welcome.
Steve

 

[tymcmurray]

Interesting piece.
Will you be hunting more at that site?

 

[Juanmoretime]

There's a chance I might hunt in the area again one day. You just never know what you'll find when you flip that dirt! And what you think is junk, once you are home, starts to look like something! That's what makes it fun!!

Steve

 

[surfin]

Yes they had matches back then.

Surfin

 

[RickyP]

Steve,
Here's a pic of one on ebay. Not the same one, but close



http://cgi.ebay.com/Antique-English...52|39:1|66:2|65:12&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14.l1318

 

[Juanmoretime]

RickyP,

That is a little like it but mine sure isn't silver. You think Paul Revere made mine in copper just to see if he could make one and then build them in silver?? Lol !!! Thanks for the info!

Steve

 

[RickyP]

I know Paul very well, and I wouldn't put it past him, always tinkering with stuff like that.

 

[wwwtimmcp]

if it is made out of copper it might have been used to hold a pre-measured powder charge for a small cannon or swivel gun. or its an old saltshaker.

 

[RickyP]

wwwtimmcp,

Never considered those

 

[River Rat]

No clue to what it is, Steve. Congrats on a great find, hopefully someone will pop in to ID it.

RR

 

[unclejesse67]

looks like a float for a gas guage sending unit.

 

[Juanmoretime]

I thought it might be a float of some kind but the ends are smooth and clean, don't know how it would have hooked up.

 

[Indianhead Jones]

I agree on the match case suggestion...I don't see what else it could be.

Larry