Source for correct wooden barrels

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A search on any form of "barrel" gave me pages of results on muskets, but not what I was looking for.

Does anyone know a source for period correct wooden barrels, for any purpose, rations, water, nails, etc. I imagine they're not cheap, but accuracy is sometimes expensive.

If I have missed a previous thread about this, please either post a link to it or PM me with a link,

Thanks much,

Ian Baker

[Michael Comer]

Re: Source for correct wooden barrels

Do a search for Bratcher Cooperage. He's in the Kansas City area. Makes very good ones. Will do them with sapling bands too with enough notice. The prices are not that bad but of course, the sapling bands will run higher. Don't remember the prices off hand.

I have his info at work. If you don't find anything let me know and I'll check next week.

[Parault]

Re: Source for correct wooden barrels

Mr. Baker,

You might want to examine this site.

http://www.beaverbuckets.com/JJs_catalog.htm.

I have not ordered from them yet but, I am considering the primitive camp bucket for the wife. I figured she needs some way to fetch me water.
I do not know how authentic their product line is.

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Re: Source for correct wooden barrels

Gents,

Thanks much for your responses, I will check out the places you've mentioned.

again, many thanks,
Ian Baker

[Charles Heath]

Re: Source for correct wooden barrels

Ian,

Depending on what you want to do with the barrels, Five Rivers Chapmany is still in business:

http://www.5rivers.org/

This next company wholesales to a heck of a lot of secondary sources. You'll quickly recognize their products in many catalogs from various eras. If you want wet cooperage, avoid their store fixtures:

http://www.thebarrelmill.com/store/prodcat.aspx?CategoryID=8&C_PageNo=1&I_PageNo=2

Junk barrels, such as used whiskey barrels can often be had for a song, if you have a purpose that will destroy a barrel, or parts thereof.

Rehooping the barrels is not terribly difficult, although it takes some time. The biggest challenge is storage, and the decision to keep the barrels wet vs. letting them dry out, thus requiring prep time before an event to allow for swelling.

If you do your reading, the 42-gallon is fairly standard (at least with the federals) and they often mention the 21-gallon half barrel. Some barrels had iron hoops, some had a combination of iron and wooden hoops, and in some instances barrels were required to be painted, depending on the contents thereof.

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Re: Source for correct wooden barrels

great links, though the 5 rivers place is no longer taking cooperage orders according to their site.

thanks again for the links,
Ian

[C.R. Henderson]

Re: Source for correct wooden barrels

I just looked at Beaver Buckets site and DANG! I don't want to sound like I'm advertisinig but I WAY undercharge for my washboards. (Mods, please delete if inappropriate.;))

[1stMo Drummer]

Re: Source for correct wooden barrels

My mex war unit has over 100 barrles roughly of 50 gallon size and mabye 20 smaller ones with nails and such in them..I'll ask around and see where they got them from, they are of pretty damned good quaility and are used at many events and have lasted up so....

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Re: Source for correct wooden barrels

I'd be much obliged for any information on those barrels,

yeah that place does seem rather pricey on the buckets.

Ian