Tin Map or Document Tube
Here is one that is getting hard to find. I did some trading with another collector friend of mine to get this. He got it at a Civil War Show on Louisville KY. These tin containers were used a lot during the war to transport maps, documents and military orders. This one has beautiful patina and a few little dings in it, but that gives it character.
Tin Shaving Cup
I found this beautiful tin shaving cup at an antique show in Norris Tenn. This one came out of an estate in New York State. It is just one of only a couple that I have seen that still has the soap cup insert that slides right into the top of the cup. It also has an original Civil War period piece of soap in the cup. Another variation of the other 3 that I have posted.
Tin Spice Shaker
These tin spice shakers were very common around camps and households. They were big enough to where you could mix several of your favorite spices together and have them all in one shaker. I found this one while at an antique store in Tenn. Nice period piece that had everyday use, and is still around today.
Tin Coffee Pot and Milk Can
Sometimes while my wife and I are out “pickin” on the weekends, I will run into a nice piece of Civil War period tin ware. Such is the case with these two coffee pots and milk can. Although they may have never seen the heat of battle, I know they could tell a great story. We got one coffee pot and the milk can at an antique show in Maysville Ky, and the other coffee pot at peddlers antique mall. Treasures are out there if you know what to look for, and have a little luck!!
Tin Wash Pan
This wash pan was part of a collection that belonged to a friend of mine. Soldiers would use this type of pan to put water in to bathe. There is very few of these still around. The soap in the pan, came from an old soap house in Murfreesboro TN, that was standing during the war. Although the house has already fell in, the soap was discovered under the old floor on the ground. You can still smell the lye in the soap. What a find.
Tin Water Dipper
Here is another rare piece that came from the same collection that the wash pan came from. It is a water dipper. This is the only one that I have seen. These would be in camps to dip water out of barrels for the soldiers for all their water needs.
Tin Canteen
Here is another type of canteen that would have been used during the Civil War. It is smaller than most, but easier to carry. This is a type that one would bring from home.
Soldiers Tin Shaving Mug
This is a soldiers shaving mug. If they were lucky enough to have one. They would fill it with water, and have a piece of soap, like shown in picture, in the other section of the mug. They would lather up their face, but dipping the lather brush into the water side, then into the soap side, to make a soapy lather. Then as they shaved, they would rinse of the razor in the water side. My wife found this for me in Franklin Tenn. what a great find.
Tin Tea Can
This type of tin was mostly used for storage of tea and coffee. Spices were usually stored in similar type of tins, but were smaller in size.
Gun Powder Tin
This type of tin can was mostly used for carrying gun powder. The tin lid was also used as a powder measurer.
