Need help with info

[Marciaunrau]

Hi All. I purchased this old can and am trying to figure out what it was used for and how old It may be. It's very heavy. The lid screws off. Anyone?

[fancypants]

I'm sure no expert on these , but it does bear some sim to antique cream cans .

Nice & rustic item , Marciaunrau .

I am wondering about the size of your item & any markings on its' lid & other surfaces .....

As an afterthought , sure looks like it might have been handy to store & pour  kerosene too .

[mart]

Yep !!  Could be either one !! Looks more like cream but haven`t seen a cream can with screw lid !!

[Marciaunrau]

It is 29 inches to top and 39 inches around. I took it to my parents who are 76 and they have never seen one so they think it's before their time as kids. They also thought cream or milk but also thought it strange that it doesn't really resemble what's typically for that use. It had some type of metal label in the front below the spout at one time I can see. They contemplated gas or oil or kerosine as well but the pour spout really doesn't seem to suit that kind of pouring.

[Marciaunrau]

If you can think of someone on this forum that may know can you direct them here? It's going to bug me to no end not knowing what it is for sure and how old it may be. I'm no antique person...I picked it up for our cabin or barn.

[Rauville]

I would call it a "Bulk Transfer Can" for oil, kerosene, etc. The metal tag would have had the gallons, and company name. Before the day of metered pumps, the "bulk man" would have used a can similar to that to measure and carry the fuel to your storage tank from his truck.
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/7850618

[mart]

What is it made of ?? Copper or other metal !! If the pour spout is a wide one and its a copper container,, then its likely cream !! It may not have been made here in the U.S,,it could be made in France where they used copper much more for food items than here !! If it is copper would not have been kerosene !!

[Marciaunrau]

Seems to me it's a thick heavy galvanized metal and the rim edges may be copper. Anyone have a clue as to how old it may be?

[Marciaunrau]

What I think may be copper on each rim may be rust. Like I said...I know nothing!

[cogar]

Cream and milk cans usually had a "compression" lid and no pour spout or lip on the rim ..... simply because they were "emptied" by turning them upside down and "dumping" the contents into a large vat or tank at the processing plant. 

The lids for cream and milk cans also had a large rim or brim on then that covered the top of the can to prevent dirt or crud from collecting there during shipment.

When they had dozens to hundreds of cans arriving at the plant every day .... they didn't have time to screw around  "un-screwing" lids off .... and "screwing" them back on. (pun intended)

In America that is.

[Marciaunrau]

Ok. So we think it's for gas or oil or kerosine? Think it's from France? Anyone guess on how old it is?

[mart]

No I said if it were copper it might be from France !! But if its rusty, it probably is just galvanized metal !! Is anything written or stamped on bottom ??

[Marciaunrau]

No there is nothing I can see on bottom as it's a bit rusty etc. My husband thinks the top rim is copper not rust. Do you think it would be more than 75 years old?

[mart]

My opinion would be 1920`s or so !!  Just wondering,, but cars back then had a container for water,,just not sure what they looked like !! This may be too big for that but you never know !! I am trying to think about the pour spout use !!

[KC]

Google "Ellisco oil can with spout"!    You will see lots of examples!

Would be interested if this hold 5 gallons...typical size for one.

Nice find!  Love the look of it!