Any Ideas about these items?

[Airborne80]

My son found these items at a know C.W. site on the banks of the Potomac River in Northern Virginia. One seems to be a can opener and the square, larger item, feels like a sealed container... maybe a can? Did they use square tins like this? All thoughts appreciated. Thanks.

 

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[vayank54]

Is that lead solder in the center of one side of the tin? If it is then it is a good chance that is part of a ration can. If it is a civil war period can there will be lead solder at any seams. I can't really tell from the pics what the other piece is.

 

[Airborne80]

Is that lead solder in the center of one side of the tin? If it is then it is a good chance that is part of a ration can. If it is a civil war period can there will be lead solder at any seams. I can't really tell from the pics what the other piece is.

Wow! I think that you are right on! I say this because, this was found directly at the site of storage houses that were destroyed by Union Soldiers. the store houses were confederate and were burned down by Union soldiers. This one is still sealed and I wonder how I should go about preserving and or cleaning it. Do you think I should try the electrolysis? Thanks for your input.

 

[vayank54]

That's cool It's getting hard to find any ration cans that are close to whole. As far as cleaning something that thin. I don't know. Sorry I can't be of more help on that.