Prescott Guards Painted Militia Canteen – SOLD

Description

The Prescott Guards, also known as the Pepperell Light Infantry was an independent militia company that was organized in 1819 in Pepperell, Massachusetts. There were named after a famous Revolutionary War hero in town, Colonel William Prescott of the Battle of Bunker Hill fame.

Having owned and handled several of these canteens over the years, I can tell that this is one of the early canteens for the company. This canteen is now in its second paint, probably done circa 1835-40.  Note the old design under this top surface, how the oval with the “PG” was originally painted top center, this being the pattern in the 1819 period. The first period colors were different as well as can be seen on the photo showing the missing sling guide, where the painting went quickly over the old leather strap that was  just in the way.

The original color scheme was a light blue canteen (can take on a greenish appearance as well do to age), with dark red borders with the high oval trimmed in gilt along with the letters.  The new paint job, was black as the base color an the same red border, with just gold letters in the center of the canteen without the oval. It can only be assumed that there were uniform and accoutrement changes over the years, and these independent militia types wanted to look good!

The construction of the canteen is called the “cheesebox” style, a very common way to make pantry boxes and the like, which were far easier to make than the old hoop and stave construction requiring too many pieces and time. As discussed earlier, the sling guides are leather and held in place by tacks.  The measurements are 7 inch diameter, and nearly 3 inches wide.

No history come with this canteen, but there is a carved number on the reverse side, “42” which could refer to the year this volunteer joined the Guards, or an equipment number, but I don’t have any proof that equipment numbering was used, even thought these accoutrements were handed down to subsequent members.

Condition is very good, very little paint loss, typical rubbing, dings, scratches, etc. The bottom sling guide is missing, and there is no stopper.

Painted canteens of this era most often come without any provenance as too where or who it originated with. This one has a history. This could have been used by Edward F. Jones who enlisted in the Guards in 1850. By 1861 he had become the Colonel of the 6th Mass Vols. that went through the Baltimore Riots, many of the men wounded and recorded as the first casualties of the Civil War.

A great item with history!