Goodyear’s India Rubber Bucket Use For Artillery Use “1st Battery”

Goodyear’s India Rubber Bucket Use For Artillery Use “1st Battery,” marked on the bottom, “Goodyear’s India Rubber Glove Mfg, C. New York” and the attached paper label reads, “India Rubber Goods W.W. Wilder, Dealer In Rubber Goods Of Every Description…etc.. Boston..”  Originally a bucket of about 9 inches high, made with pliable rubber, with attached handle attached to iron loops incorporated into the rim.

The period of this piece is just post Civil War, and used by an artillery regiment’s 1st Battery. Probably chosen for its durability. The paint is in white, and unquestionably original. Buckets similar to this were used, actually endorsed by Winfield S. Hancock as a captain, stating these held up much better against the rocks on the roads, or the heat or the cold, than the wooden types of oak or cedar. Wiard’s System of Field Artillery listed these buckets as part of the other equipments intended for a six gun battery for the caisson.

Now settled in it’s age, and sagging a bit, but still a great display piece. The overall condition is fine, with most of the wear on the handle (which could be mended some is so inclined).

A super scarce artillery piece of the early Indian Wars era, and possibly used by the Regular Army in the west.

Featured in Mike Woshner’s book, India -Rubber and Gutta Percha In The Civil War Era, page 148.