This may be a loaded question, because I guess it could be used for anything, but it's so doggtone cool that I thought maybe it could have had a specialized use or time period. My first thought was maybe a horse feeding or watering bucket ( when it was still capable of holding water!) My sincere hope is that it saw Civil War use ( or earlier). The handles seem to be attached with rose-headed nails which could "nail it down" to the late 1700's-mid 1800's, but I'm afraid this may all be conjecture on my part. I would LOVE to get your thoughts on age, use, etc. if that is in fact even a possibility! Thanks so much!
