Roman \"Canteen\"

[DECIMvS MERCATIvS VARIANvS]

I still have a need of a water container. I too bought one from SotW and the liner is now dead. I bought it in '08 and when, a few weeks ago, I blew in it to open it up, damned if it didn't go "pop" D'oh! I am trying to find something stronger to put in there. I bet a heavier poly would work, but how to shape it to fit?? Or if you cut it, to safely and securely fuse the edges.

OR... I'll make a new one. I want... leak proof, safe and that will hold around a liter or so of water.

I have one of Julia's neat ceramic ones that I am STILL trying to finish a net for. Well, got the net, but the carrying strap is getting me. Macrame is not my strong suit. Also, it's a bit small, like a small aquafina bottle.

[Caballo]

Mine's a pottery canteen as well. Works a treat and keeps the water cool.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

I purchased one of Erik Konigs pompaien canteens, but it leaked too. He told me to return it for repair/replacement. It is handy for using on bigger displays. The pottery ones need careful consideration to here you hang them, and there is an image of a grass cover for one like Julia makes.
I managed to hole my first one on a sementata lace loop at an event a couple of years back!

[M. Demetrius]

Short term, Marsh, sew up a cylindrical soft leather sack that fits around a 1 liter or 20oz bottle, like for water, tea or soda. Make a drawstring that's long enough to sling over your shoulder, and you're done. Loosen the string, pull the cork (or unscrew the bottle cap) and drink. EZ.

And they look more or less like any other leather drawstring bag. Be sure to make plenty of room at the top. The drawing of the string takes up well over an inch of the vertical dimension. If memory serves, it's around 11.25" around, and about 12.5" tall for a 20oz bottle. I cut a disc for the bottom, so the thing will stand up. Disc is around 3.25", but you'd have to measure the actual diameter to be sure.

NOTE: Results will vary. Not responsible for the actions of the user if he chooses to put liquid refreshments other than water in the container. :roll:

[Gaius Colletti]

I'm glad I saw this thread, I was aware that steel canteen was dated possibly 2 centuries after the First Cenury AD, on top of it being hard to rust proof and possibly an oil rather than a water canteen, but I didn't know about the issues with the leather botas.

The Venetian Cat has some nice amphorae, but I feel I could make some for a fraction of the price myself, (assuming I can get them fired in a kiln somewhere)and wrap them in leather and have a handmade period accurate piece. About how thick should the walls of these amphorae be?

[Graham Sumner]

Hi

I think the only reason these items have been labelled military canteens is that they looked like the examples of military canteens in use from the eighteenth to early twentieth centuries. However the latter were in wood and generally much larger, as demonstrated in the publication 'The Romans in Scotland', HMSO 1980, page 21, which illustrates both ancient and modern designs.

The early second century Roman example in the book was nonetheless from the fort at Newstead so it can be argued that this example at least was from a military context. Nevertheless in spite of it being a nice piece of kit I tend to agree with others that it was not used for water, presumably oil or maybe for someone's secret tipple!

The pottery 'pilgrim' flasks also mentioned appeared to have been pretty durable and are found right across the empire but as Christian mentioned they tend to be from the later empire.

Graham.

[ANTONIVS MAGNVS]

Crispvs is this the one you use?

[jkaler48]

Glass how about glass? I suppose you could re purpose a WW2 Russian one.

[jkaler48]

Somebody should graB this one!
http://www.rubylane.com/item/680329-1332...nteen-Rope

[Crispvs]

Jay,

Yes, that is the one I use, although I have it on a leather strap rather than a chain, partly to cut down on wear to the rings. Mine has now taken on a fairly 'scuffed' look, which gives it a suitably 'used' look which I am happy with (not being a believer in the idea that every Roman soldier and all his equipment looked brand sparkling new every minute of his career). I will probably make a hemp cover or string bag for it at some stage though to prolong its life. It will be a shame to cover up or obscure the decoration but a study of surviving Roman military equipment would suggest that a real Roman soldier would probably have few qualms about doing so.

Crispvs

[ANTONIVS MAGNVS]

Thanks! Is it based on a find or is it a case of using some artistic license?

Is there any evidence for glass bottles of this size like the ones jakaler48 posted? I thought most Roman glass was on the small side. Being Italian there are lots of those types of bottles lying around!

[Cavok]

As one or 2 know I was also looking at this.

I found a nice link to Bushcraft for making a quite nice leather version

Leather Water Bottles

The Wax tank was a bit over the top. Nice though.

[rzienta]

While searching the internet I found a notice that something similar to this was being sold as "original". It was posted to collectors as warning. I like the idea of "aging" our equipment as used, but . . . :lol:

Gaius (Rob)

[Cavok]

Was Crispus still attached to it?

[Magnus]

Thanks for that link! I made my own leather canteen by dismantling one I purchased from a hardware store, and used the plastic water bladder from it. I should have used thinner leather on it, but it still turned out well, and works great. These pics are of it prior to being oiled.