Question about an item...

[regularjoe2]

I must say that I like the looks of your item , dianecaudle .
I've never seen one just like it .

It seems unusually secure , in it's case/holster , to simply hold water .

Perhaps (here I go guessin' again) it may have held carbide , for lamps ?

[waywardangler]

What does the metal container look like out of the leather case?  How big is the center hole?  Can you see the interior with a flashlight and tell if the corner rod goes all the way to the bottom or what?  Does it look like there is wear on the narrow waisted part of the corner rod like something clipped on there or was strapped there?  Would it have held gunpowder or lead shot?  I do not think it held a liquid but rather something else that could be scooped out or poured out.  That is a pretty heavy duty chain for a canteen.  

[KC]

One more question, is the chain brass?  (Ours was so I am being nosy)

[cogar]

What appears to you to be a pump or spring is where the chain is attached to the item.  The chain is attached to the screw-on cap on the top middle of the can and  the chain breaks into two and attaches to the top and bottom of the little pole on the top corner of the can.  It can only unscrew from the top and does nothing else

.

Diane, the knurled knobs on the "little pole" tells me that they also twist or turn or something ....... and their chain attachment tells me that they can be removed and will dangle on their chain.

[dianecaudle]

Ok, I can answer a few of the questions now, and then examine the inside of the canteen or whatever it is a bit later...my son-in-law took the leather cover off last night and he said that it had 1943 on the container MK II and No. 3 were also on it.  He advises not to take off the leather case any more since the strap looked rather fragile and stiff and might end up breaking off.

Remember, I"m an artist, not a specialist in antiques and metals like most of you, but he said that the larger screw-off lid on top is brass.  The chain seems to me to be a lighter material then brass but I could be wrong.  Also, I was examining it last night and the inside of the post does have a narrow hole in it.  I will get a flashlight and see what I can find inside the container in a bit,

Thanks,

Diane

[waywardangler]

With both caps off, neither would be lost as the third clip would hold the chain to the caps.  With the small hole, this would allow air in or out and allow liquid to pour freely out the large center hole without an air lock impeding the liquid flow.  I am guessing this may be a spare water or gas reservoir for a WWII motorcycle (possibly British) or other small engine powered vehicle?  The leather covering would protect from being beaten around too much and the two strap loops may have been where it was strapped on.  Just a wild guess.

[KC]

My dad confirmed it was British (Mark 2) and that my uncle (Ace pilot with Hell Hawks) brought it back from the war and gave it to our grandparents.

Now looking at British war memorabilia......he re are possibilities.....B ritish oil can to be used with machine guns
http://www.ima-usa.com/product_info.php/cPath/1_214_110/products_id/1866?osCsid=c487243eeb2b305cfd39a9b147ce8966


Too bad my uncle just passed away....i could ask him if we were drinking out out of a oil can all of these years!  HA!

[waywardangler]

Good one KC!  Yes, it does greatly resemble that oil can.

[ironlord1963]

     Looks like a match to me too.   Way to go KC's Dad 

[waywardangler]

Thanks to KC, I think this is the exact oil can but only in olive drab.  See this site at the bottom.  It seems there is a question of it being for the Vickers machine gun but that is their guess.  I am wondering if after the war, these were re-purposed for other use and dressed up in leather?

http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-weapons/vickers.htm

This site http://www.hayesotoupalik.com/U.S.%20Machine%20Gun%20Parts.htm lists the same exact can (by looks) as "WW1 M1917 Colt .30 Browning Water Cooled Machine gun Oil Can. Excellent Condition, Rare. $69.00."

[KC]

Way to go waywardangler!!!!!!!

I know the one we had was repurposed if it was originally for oil. LOL At my old age my joints still don't squeak!

[dianecaudle]

Way to go guys!  Excellent sleuthing....I wonder what the belt loops on the side were for....but anyway, thanks for all your help, it was sort of like playing detective....I think it's interesting that the description of it states it's rare and then values it at $69

Thanks again,

Diane

[cogar]

He advises not to take off the leather case any more since the strap looked rather fragile and stiff and might end up breaking off.

Diane, you can put "saddle soap" on the leather to rejuvenate it.

[KC]

diane, my dad pointed out with the MK (Mark) designation coupled with the date it was definitely military.

So.....if you are in war.....on the front lines.....everythin g is portable and has to have it's place on the soldier or the vehicle.  Split second observations let you know if you are fixin' to leave something behind. (In southern language "fixin to" translates to "getting ready to" in English.)  Not like us who haphazardly pack the car or ourselves before we head out the door.

Most machine guns and machine gun supplies were belted for the most efficient way to carry them and run at the same time!