Tin box.

[Black Hand]

2. Set fire to the rum.

If you drink enough of the Rum, you won't care how the fruitcake tastes. Seems a waste of perfectly good Rum to use it as mood-lighting...

 

[Sicilian Hunter]

Sicilian Longhunter:



Sorry for the delay in reply.... I just looked back at this thread. I assume you found pics of Ted's stuff.…..

I did thanks!

The hammer marks camouflage the lettering. Use a small (ballpeen hammer use the round end)
Place the lid on the cut end of a block of firewood or on an anvil. Start in the middle hammering, slowly working away from the center, and slightly raising the lid up on one side or the other to shape the dome. you hammer on the underside of the lid and the topside is face down.
Check the lid fit often for deformation or warping. The whole process takes a few minutes.
The process works great on Altoids mini tins.

Note: you can buy Altoids size tins without any lettering.

View attachment 2020

Carbon,
Great job!!
I will have to try that out

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

The small tin that some on this forum have in their shooting bags look like altoids mint boxes. I hope I am correct. I have a dozen of them I use for lots of little things.

They’re not PC.

Ted Cash sells retro brass tinder boxes based on period originals that fulfill the same duties and are much closer to what they would have used. But many here could care less about historical accuracy.

 

[Black Hand]

They’re not PC.

Ted Cash sells retro brass tinder boxes based on period originals that fulfill the same duties and are much closer to what they would have used. But many here could care less about historical accuracy.

Yes - not PC, but certainly better than many other options (which have included plastic containers and zip-top bags).

As to the TC tinder boxes - Can you say for certain they were used for patches in the period or are you going along with the modern usage? Tinder boxes were used for fire-starting supplies and I have yet to see one from the period containing patches. As a matter of fact, I don't believe I've ever seen a period container used for patching. Can anyone enlighten us with period items?

 

[jrdavis]

this may be a little off topic, I use the Altoids tins in the shop and keep my tap and dies in them and other small parts or thingies

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Yes - not PC, but certainly better than many other options (which have included plastic containers and zip-top bags).

As to the TC tinder boxes - Can you say for certain they were used for patches in the period or are you going along with the modern usage? Tinder boxes were used for fire-starting supplies and I have yet to see one from the period containing patches. As a matter of fact, I don't believe I've ever seen a period container used for patching. Can anyone enlighten us with period items?

No but I sure as hell can’t imagine Altoid containers being used instead!!

 

[Black Hand]

No but I sure as hell can’t imagine Altoid containers being used instead!!

Not ideal, but a step in the correct direction. This is one of those small details that adds to a portrayal. I have a copper box I made to hold period cards that will eventually be converted to a tin for patches. That said, I still have little idea what was actually used to hold pre-lubed patching. Until then, a lidded, hinged metal tin will need to suffice.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Not ideal, but a step in the correct direction. This is one of those small details that adds to a portrayal. I have a copper box I made to hold period cards that will eventually be converted to a tin for patches. That said, I still have little idea what was actually used to hold pre-lubed patching. Until then, a lidded, hinged metal tin will need to suffice.

Period accounts are extremely hard to come by. I do know of an 1835 account (past the point of interest for most on this forum I know) that states dry patching material that was greased with lube stored in the “patch box” on the butt of the gun, then cut at the muzzle using the handle of the knife to start the ball.

As for Altoids boxes, you’re kidding yourself if you think they’re more PC than a reproduction tinder box modeled after period originals. Nobody knows if they would have ever used such a thing for the purpose, but again, they sure were NOT using japaned Altoids tins!!

 

[Straekat]

Wooden grease boxes have a long history in woodworking...to hold grease for use on tools, etc. It's not out of the question that wooden containers may have been used.

http://lumberjocks.com/mafe/blog/18541

Can the use of wooden or horn containers be ruled out?

Something to ponder... There is an inherent danger of handling metal when temps are well below freezing because the danger of skin sticking to a metal surface increases. Try wearing gloves to patch and load a small round ball, not to mention opening a metal container as part of the process.

As an aside, there is a way to remove body parts that have stuck to frozen flesh without removing hunks of skin. Warm liquids do the trick, particularly if you can reach your crotch area.

 

[Black Hand]

...they sure were NOT using japaned Altoids tins!!

No one is arguing this point. The only point I am trying to make is the tins are a better choice than plastic bags/containers.
Yes - tinderboxes, snuff boxes and "tin" containers (plain, painted or Japanned) are known and could have been used. That said, we need more information.

 

[pwbsmokey]

I’m not concerned with being hc/pc but I do like to use things that have an old time feel. I use wood, metal, antler, horn and leather, but NO plastic

 

[Artificer]

If you drink enough of the Rum, you won't care how the fruitcake tastes. Seems a waste of perfectly good Rum to use it as mood-lighting...

Not for mood-lighting, but as way to illuminate the table to save candles, plus to able to get a better visual effect when enjoying an apple or other fruit pie.

But, yes, enough rum to wash it down with,will make the most inedible things manageable to get down.

Gus

 

[Black Hand]

Not for mood-lighting, but as way to illuminate the table to save candles, plus to able to get a better visual effect when enjoying an apple or other fruit pie.

I'd rather drink Rum in the dark than burn it for illumination. I find its internal effects illuminating enough....

 

[George]

Yes - tinderboxes, snuff boxes and "tin" containers (plain, painted or Japanned) are known and could have been used.

The Pennsylvania Gazette
September 18, 1755
Just imported in the ship Beulah, John Ritchie master, from London, and to be sold by CHARLES COXE,…. brass mounted hangers, with red leather belts, sleeve buttons, metal spectacles and horn jointed ditto, japanned metal snuff boxes, iron tobacco boxes,...

Spence

 

[Black Hand]

The Pennsylvania Gazette
September 18, 1755
Just imported in the ship Beulah, John Ritchie master, from London, and to be sold by CHARLES COXE,…. brass mounted hangers, with red leather belts, sleeve buttons, metal spectacles and horn jointed ditto, japanned metal snuff boxes, iron tobacco boxes,...

Spence

Thanks Spence!
Metal and jointed horn spectacles - interesting.

 

[rickpa]

While rooting around in the shop for some misplaced item, I ran across the same type of tin box from Rite Aid with no embossed lettering. Similar to the old Sucrets box.

 

[shane a gress]

What is a japanned metal snuff box?

 

[Coot]

Japan finish is a black varnish or lacquer commonly used in the 18th c to protect iron & tinned surfaces from rust. A "japanned metal snuff box" likely refers to an inexpensive small (pocket size) tin box to hold snuff (powdered tobacco) to be inhaled.

 

[shane a gress]

Japan finish is a black varnish or lacquer commonly used in the 18th c to protect iron & tinned surfaces from rust. A "japanned metal snuff box" likely refers to an inexpensive small (pocket size) tin box to hold snuff (powdered tobacco) to be inhaled.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Eutycus]

So japanned is a black varnished or shellaced tin? How did that term come about? Did the country of Japan have anything to do with it?