Original Antique Civil War Era Water Keg which would have been one of several carried on the underside or back of the ambulance in those days. A narrow horse drawn carriage that arrived at a battlefield after the battle was over, carrying supplies and transporting the men who were most gravely wounded back to field hospitals. Because most of the Civil War battles were fought in the humid Southern states during the spring and summer months, the injured and bleeding men were often parched from dehydration through blood loss.
A simple cup of water was a tremendous act of last mercy to men who were soon to die. A keg of this same design can be found on page 81 of Dr. Gordon Dammann's book "Civil War Medical Instruments & Equipment". The keg is made of oak staves, it stands approx. 15" tall on stabilizing "feet, (including the handle), that are made of two of the straps, bent to keep the keg upright on a wagon back or the ground.9" diameter at the ends x 17-3/4" long. It has six original barrel bands in place. The bands are in overall pretty nice condition with no pitting and a nice. It has a roller-swivel type carrying handle at the center top, for hanging under the wagon and/or for carrying on the field.
There is threaded brass fill hole/plug with cap at the top center and brass turnscrew type faucet on one end. Has an overall great patina, signs of honest aging and use but not abuse. A wonderful old piece of Civil War era history!
The item "Antique Oak Civil War Era Ambulance Water Whiskey Wood Oak Keg Barrel" is in sale since Saturday, July 18, 2020. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\Civil War (1861-65)\Original Period Items\Other Civil War Original Items".The seller is "joynerlutz" and is located in Dover, Ohio. This item can be shipped worldwide.