This Federal Model 1858 smoothside canteen is an unusual recovered artifact from the Culp's Hill area in Gettysburg. The tin canteen, produced by the government's New York Depot, was modified by a soldier into a colander by cutting out a large hole on one side and perforating the opposite side with what appear to be small, triangular, bayonet-shaped holes. Artifact measures 8" in diameter and is moderately distorted. Canteen is missing its entire pewter spout and collar, but retains all three, iron sling loops with one of the loops bearing a small hole drilled in it to secure the chain and stopper, now missing. Never cleaned, this relic canteen exhibits a light to moderate rust cover and a thin film of surface dirt. A unique, early pickup from the Culp's Hill area in Gettysburg, this canteen is identified in John Geiselman's collection by his contemporary inscribed labels. Previously sold as R11187.

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The Horse Soldier is pleased to offer a number of items from the John P. Geiselman collection, a collection that was on display for many years at the Geiselman Country Store Museum on Barlow - Two Taverns Road. Geiselman began his collecting as a child in the early 1920s, and during the pre-World II period had access to artifacts that had been purchased earlier at the estate sales of the Trostle, Rogers, Rose, Weikert, and Wentz farms - local properties that figured prominently in the battle and its aftermath. During this period he had access as well to the Hill , Plank, and Stewart collections, and was able to acquire other items that had been sold from turn-of-the-century relics establishments such as the Danner, Ziegler, and Oak Ridge Museums. Furthermore, Geiselman carefully documented most artifacts, and collectors perusing the list will be able to note, in many instances, not only the source of the relic and the date of its recovery, but also the part of the battlefield from which it came. In other words, his collection is the last major grouping of Gettysburg artifacts assembled and documented by a local resident.

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