Civil War Artillery Grease Bucket with Original Application Brush

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Civil War Artillery Grease Bucket with Original Application Brush – Made of sheet iron, these substantially constructed buckets were often referred to as “Tar Buckets”. The bucket held a lubricant, either pine tar or axle grease; artillery crews used a large brush to apply this lubricant to the heavy axles of their cannon carriages and limbers, thereby preventing friction and wear. The buckets, comparable to this example, had a swinging, metal cover, riveted to the top of the bucket by a metal stud. The bucket’s handle was a chain, attached to two hooks on opposing sided of the bucket’s exterior. The large O-ring in the middle of the chain handle, allowed the bucket to be suspended under the bottom of the limber or cannon. This bucket remains in excellent condition with some of its original black paint (i5 appears that some more recent black paint has been applied) and no rust areas or holes; additionally, remaining in the bucket is war period grease, with the rare original application brush present, as well. Although we have had other artillery grease buckets, this is the first example that we have even seen with the original application brush.

Measurements: Diameter – 7”; Height – 9”; Pivoting Cover – 4.5” in diameter