stainless steel canteen problem?

[69TH NYSV CO.C]

Hi all,

I just recived a canteen i just bought from fall creek inc. and i looked inside the spout it was some brownish kind of looking rust powder inside dont know why it came like that but im asking if any of you fellas get the same problem when you first got yours thanks any advise will be very helpful

[vicka]

Go to the source, they sell a lot and need to maintain a good reputation in the hobby. Mess with nothing, but go back to the seller and see what they say while the transaction is still new.
Steve Sullivan

[Silas]

It's a warning from the gods of reenacting that you should not have purchased a stainless steel canteen. Return it to Andy, request a tin canteen in exchange, and burn some bacon in the dark as an offering to appease the gods of reenacting.

Tackitt,
evil hardcore

[Memphis]

Rinse it out.

[clconboy]

Rinse it out.

*bing* common sense wins again!

[eugene]

Exactly stainless steel is an absolute no-no...never buy it again.

[69TH NYSV CO.C]

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU YOUR ADVISE HELPED VERY MUCH THANKS :p :p :p

[DaveGink]

the deleted material (THP)..

Was that necessary?

[Charles Reynolds]

Dave
I agree with you, not necessary. !
Chuck:(

[tompritchett]

Was that necessary?

As you will notice by my actions, I also agreed with you one that comment. As an aside, whenever you do see a questionable comment like that, be sure to use the Alert key. The Alert sends your comments on the post to my email account and I check it more frequently than I log in here. Thank you.

[DaveGink]

As you will notice by my actions, I also agreed with you one that comment. As an aside, whenever you do see a questionable comment like that, be sure to use the Alert key. The Alert sends your comments on the post to my email account and I check it more frequently than I log in here. Thank you.

Thanks for the heads-up on the alert key Tom!

Cheers,
Dave

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

How d' ye!

IMHO, rinse it out with a solution of baking soda and water.
I suspect it is "after rust" caused by the flux used to solder the spout on.
The baking soda neutralizes any residual flux "acid."

Curt-Heinrich Schmidt

(Stainless steel is steel with a high chromium content, but it is still steel. It is "rust resistant" not "rust proof.")

[Jim Mayo]

I was reading this discussion about stainless steel canteen use and started wondering what other features besides body material, reenactors look for in a reproduction M-1858 canteen.

Would you rather have a canteen with stainless steel body, tin sling keepers of correct size and shape, and a correct looking spout but a SS body which has to remain covered to make the canteen look authentic

or

a canteen with a spout that does not compare favorably to an original but has a body made of tin and could be carried covered or uncovered?

How about the size of sling keepers? I have seen some repro canteens with keepers which are quite a bit larger than those found on originals and are noticeable. Does anyone look at this feature?

Straps and covers have gotten pretty good and if you happen to have one that is not up to snuff, these items are available and easily replaced so I wouldn't consider this an important issue when picking a canteen.

Stopper chains are another area where there is room for improvement on many canteens.

These are the little visible features which IMO can make or break the looks of a canteen. Should they be given the same weight as a stainless body when picking out a canteen?


Curious

[Memphis]

Good points. I myself wasn't aware of the incorrect shape of most reproduction canteens (including the so-called "ultimate campaigner" versions) until the side by side photographs were published in the Columbia Rifles Research Compendium. The difference in profile between a modern reproduction and an original spheroid oblate canteen was quite marked.

Side note: If they are not an approved vendor here, please feel free to delete this post.

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

Indeed...
But once the Pandora's Box of canteens I opened, it is like trying to close a can of worms, IMHO... ;-)

While we discount stainless steel, we accept modern electro-plated sheet steel as the lesser of two evils.
(With regards to the obsolete Civil War era technology of making tin-plated sheet iron...and the "best" we have is modern electro-plated steel either "dipped" in molten tin or painted with molten tin?)

Curt-Heinrich Schmidt
Brainless Scarecrow but friend to the Tinman Mess

[vamick]

I was reading this discussion about stainless steel canteen use and started wondering what other features besides body material, reenactors look for in a reproduction M-1858 canteen.

Would you rather have a canteen with stainless steel body, tin sling keepers of correct size and shape, and a correct looking spout but a SS body which has to remain covered to make the canteen look authentic

or

a canteen with a spout that does not compare favorably to an original but has a body made of tin and could be carried covered or uncovered?

How about the size of sling keepers? I have seen some repro canteens with keepers which are quite a bit larger than those found on originals and are noticeable. Does anyone look at this feature?

Straps and covers have gotten pretty good and if you happen to have one that is not up to snuff, these items are available and easily replaced so I wouldn't consider this an important issue when picking a canteen.

Stopper chains are another area where there is room for improvement on many canteens.

These are the little visible features which IMO can make or break the looks of a canteen. Should they be given the same weight as a stainless body when picking out a canteen?


Curious

This is one place that I presently comprimise on but in 'good way'. and I'll tell ya my reasoning. This canteen has a pewter spout ( correct) the body has a dark blue cover with cork attached with jack chain ( NY arsenel as far as I know were the ONLY arsenel turning out canteens with dark blue cover AND chain, all others used twisted string, and featured numerous covers, most jean like and tannish), they were originally issued with a leather strap, but mid 62 went to a cotton 'drill' strap ,now that said, my intentions are to unit stencil this canteen accordingly ( NY unit that I would have had numerous chances to 'pick up' or otherwise aquire since we faced them numerous times all over Va, AND insepctors stamp on the strap) as to the unit stencils, "yes they did it" Ive got the pics, plus the file number ect on the obverse and I am cutting my own stencils in the original font..NOW all that said the only thing keeping this from being a fully 'authenic' water bottle are the some what brighter strap keepers ( yes they are the correct size ect) and Im gonna chemically darken those,,so who will 'know' this difference? only the drinker from the non tin taste...???

[Silas]

so who will 'know' this difference? only the drinker from the non tin taste...??

The premise of your question is misplaced. Are you trying to hide as much modern stuff as possible without getting caught or are you trying to do things - as much as possible - in the manner that they were done?

Some folks go to extreme efforts to hide modern luxuries when the period method isn't all that rough to being with. There are all kinds of ways to cheat. The only person being fooled is the one cheating.

Along a similar track, who's going to know if you've wearing period drawers or boxers? Or blow-up mattress under your blanket? Or Gaterade in your canteen? The question can be asked for various items of clothing, gear and grub. The answer remains the same : the user.

When I attend events, I'm not trying to just meet the minimum possible standard. I'm trying to get as close to the actual conditions as I can. Long marches, hard ground, lonely picketing, unappealing food, invidious parasites, stupid officers, blistered feet, and et cetera all sucked ; however, they were all part of the soldier's daily life. When you embrace the suck, you begin to appreciate the daily life of the common soldier.

Tackitt,
evil hardcore

[Regular3]

While we discount stainless steel, we accept modern electro-plated sheet steel as the lesser of two evils.
(With regards to the obsolete Civil War era technology of making tin-plated sheet iron...and the "best" we have is modern electro-plated steel either "dipped" in molten tin or painted with molten tin?)

Curt-Heinrich Schmidt
Brainless Scarecrow but friend to the Tinman MessDoes anyone know of anyone who makes a pure tin canteen? Otherwise I believe the "hot dipped" variety is the best we can do, at least for now.

As for covers, one can see in Mr. Mayo's collection of originals that they came in many colors. The Regulation stated only that canteens were "to be covered with woolen cloth," no doubt leaving it up to the supplier to find the wool.

[7thNJcoA]

I just started to make my impressin more authentic to do those great authentic reenactor only events. But I only do that once or twice a year in my way that is my tribute to our brave soldiers of the time. Ive slept in some crappy places and endured some hard times so I know what its like. You dont have to sleep in crap to honor the soldiers just showing up and teaching one person one thing at an event is more than the average person does. If you have the dedication time and money to be an extreme hardcore campainer more power to you. Our main goal should be to educate the public and you dont have to be a super hardcore to do that NPS Rangers do it everyday and wear a smokey bear most the time! I always tell people do go to one Harcore event to get a good feel of what it was like!

[vamick]

The premise of your question is misplaced. Are you trying to hide as much modern stuff as possible without getting caught or are you trying to do things - as much as possible - in the manner that they were done?

Some folks go to extreme efforts to hide modern luxuries when the period method isn't all that rough to being with. There are all kinds of ways to cheat. The only person being fooled is the one cheating.

Along a similar track, who's going to know if you've wearing period drawers or boxers? Or blow-up mattress under your blanket? Or Gaterade in your canteen? The question can be asked for various items of clothing, gear and grub. The answer remains the same : the user.

When I attend events, I'm not trying to just meet the minimum possible standard. I'm trying to get as close to the actual conditions as I can. Long marches, hard ground, lonely picketing, unappealing food, invidious parasites, stupid officers, blistered feet, and et cetera all sucked ; however, they were all part of the soldier's daily life. When you embrace the suck, you begin to appreciate the daily life of the common soldier.

Tackitt,
evil hardcore


all right dad gum it!! NO I dont hide a freakin blow up matress, No I dont have gator aide in my canteen. Ive had plenty of blisters and slept on plenty lumpy ground..the question was about canteens and I answered it!..tell me mister superauuuthenic were ya just waitin for a post to throw yer superness at or do you just embrace the suck twentyfour seven??:rolleyes:

[tompritchett]

Gentlemen, let's take a deep breath and calm down before continuing this conversation.

[flattop32355]

Seems we teeter off the brink of discussing canteens and are heading into a broader, more emotional subject.

It might be wise to limit the discussion on this thread to the subject at hand, and save the other for a different thread. I'm sure it would be well attended. ;)

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

Indeed...

Hallo Herr Bernie! Nice to have met you this past weekend.

Curt-Heinrich Schmidt

[Claude Sinclair]

If someone searches long enough he can get a correct 1858 Smooth side tin canteen with a pewter spout for less than $100. And be original also. I have used mine for over two years and with proper care, it will last another 100 years or so. Too bad that I will not be around at that time.

Regards,

Claude Sinclair

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

Once Upon A Time I loaned a Newcomer a minty original canteen.
He "took a hit" and fell on it when it was empty and pancaked it near flat.
"Sorry." he said handing it back at the end of the event.

Curt-Heinrich Schmidt

[Regular3]

If someone searches long enough he can get a correct 1858 Smooth side tin canteen with a pewter spout for less than $100. And be original also. I have used mine for over two years and with proper care, it will last another 100 years or so. Too bad that I will not be around at that time.

Regards,

Claude SinclairMe neither ;) - But can you suggest a source?

[killerreb]

i believe it's jarnigans that has a very nice c.s. drum canteen fer sale. tooted as "the ultimate campaigner canteen", i've seen the original at the museum & it can be found in eog. (its the "shiloh canteen") it is a very good copy. so you can find good pieces without havin to go remakin one...just gotta look (sometimes in the oddest places)..

steve hutton
tin canteen mess

[flattop32355]

Hallo Herr Bernie! Nice to have met you this past weekend.

It was my pleasure. Hope to see you again.

[TheQM]

Back in those far off days when I got into the Hobby, Jarnagin sold a Stainless Steel canteen with tin plated sling keepers and a correct pewter spout. I've been using this canteen for twenty years and it now has it's third cover and second strap.

Given my other Farbosities, I figure this canteen is way down on my list of sins. Oh yeah, the water still tastes good.

[RJSamp]

Back in those far off days when I got into the Hobby, Jarnagin sold a Stainless Steel canteen with tin plated sling keepers and a correct pewter spout. I've been using this canteen for twenty years and it now has it's third cover and second strap.

Given my other Farbosities, I figure this canteen is way down on my list of sins. Oh yeah, the water still tastes good.

Yea, and we can all tell from 500 yards away that it's SS ......

remember it's a system....if the weave, weft, weight, warp, materials aren't all the right item in the right size, stitched the right way......it all crashes. heaven forbid if someone during the ACW wore an out of system item....they would have died young.

[Poor Private]

Oh my yes we can see it even from as faraway as where I live.;)
I carry a SS one also has had alot more in it than water. Really enjoy not having that waxy after taste.

[DaveGink]

...the only thing keeping this from being a fully 'authenic' water bottle are the some what brighter strap keepers ( yes they are the correct size ect) and Im gonna chemically darken those,,so who will 'know' this difference? only the drinker from the non tin taste...???

I'm curious what one would use to "chemically darken" those bright strap keepers on stainless steel canteens?

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

Various "liquid bluing" solutions or pastes used by gunsmiths will darken/blacken steel. Such as, on the low end Birchwood Casey's or at the professional level Brownell's or Van's.

It darkens/blackens on contact. With a little 0000 steel wool and oil, or worn out 0000 steel wool, it can be "polished" back up to just about any state of brightness or dullness desired in a minute or two.

Curt-Heinrich Schmidt
Alchemist Mess

[DaveGink]

Hallo!

Various "liquid bluing" solutions or pastes used by gunsmiths will darken/blacken steel. Such as, on the low end Birchwood Casey's or at the professional level Brownell's or Van's.

It darkens/blackens on contact. With a little 0000 steel wool and oil, or worn out 0000 steel wool, it can be "polished" back up to just about any state of brightness or dullness desired in a minute or two.

Curt-Heinrich Schmidt
Alchemist Mess

The answer was so obvious I couldn't see it. ;)
Thank you. I'll give that a try.

[vamick]

I'm curious what one would use to "chemically darken" those bright strap keepers on stainless steel canteens?

Well thats an ongoing process, but Im gonna try a lite solution of stained glass patina and them maybe...a vinegar rinse?...l'll letcha know how well it works..if it does along with that pewter spout only I'll know its 'farby'..and somehow Im just gonna have to live with that lil sin:rolleyes:

[69TH NYSV CO.C]

i think all the canteen solutions are told know lets finish this up now its getting too long for me! thank for the help lets hope flower girl aint around to miss up this info:D :D :cool: