Description: One of the rarest Civil War canteens is the copper or brass Signal Corps turpentine canteen for adding fuel to night signal torches. A similar canteen is pictured in a line drawing on page 400 of American Military Equipage, 1851-1872 by Frederick Todd. In that drawing it shows a Civil War Signalman filling a torch with a fuel canteen. For your convenience I have scanned that page and included it here. This similar canteen is also pictured on page 88 in the photograph of a signal corps officer in Civil War Canteens by Stephen Sylvia and Michael J. O'Donnell. Once again I have scanned that page and included it here. Civil War Period Signal Corps Copper Fuel Canteen. These canteen size copper U.S. Signal Corps canteens were utilized, during the Civil War, by members of the Signal Corps to transport turpentine and other flammable fluids to supply torches that were being utilized during nighttime signaling processes. All signal officers were required to have one of these canteens for evening use. Capable of holding flammable fluid, the copper construction was utilized to preclude sparking. These canteens are quite sturdy in construction, made up of two sections of copper, seamed together along the canteen’s sides; in addition, along the sides, are four sling guides to support leather carrying sling. The base of the spout of the canteen fits in between the joining seams of the body of the canteens. There is a small patented 1858 (see scan) threaded spout to prevent leakage but it is missing the cap. Other than that it is solid and complete. It measures 7” across by 3-1/2” wide. It is crimped along each side so no one mistakes it for a water canteen at night.
Price: 170 USD
Location: Lakewood, Ohio
End Time: 2025-01-17T23:31:38.000Z
Shipping Cost: 12.25 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Conflict: Civil War (1861-65)
Original/Reproduction: Original
Theme: Militaria
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
