How old could this be ?

[Antique lover]

This has got to be the smallest wash or cook pot I have ever seen.It is only about 6 inches tall.I saw a picture that dated back about the civil war era of one about this size.. VERY neat ! This picture is after it took me about 3 hours of cleaning it with a wire brush on a drill.Then I wiped it down with pure hog lard ! ( Yes I am from the south).

 

[Ma Betty in MO]

n/t

 

[Antique lover]

I was told that it may have been used for gravy because of the small size.

 

[Ma Betty in MO]

n/t

 

[taz42o]

That is probably a fire starter pot. They still make them but my guess on that one is early 1800s.

 

[flinthunter]

Can you give us a clear picture of the outside bottom (between the legs)? Sometimes the marks left over from the casting process will help date it.

 

[Antique lover]

Here are better close ups.It has the cast mark across the bottom. A round looking part on one side , and the other side as the # 12 on it. I know it is NOT gals. or pints or quarts. Any info would be great. I really would like the know how old it is.

 

[Tom]

Looks pretty close to the ones made up here in PA at the old iron furnaces/forge sites. My guess would be 1790-1830.

 

[1859large]

I have one of those at my cabin. At least it was made to a similar pattern. Mine is a modern and I have a lid and a fire starter in it. the fire starter used kerosene or lamp oil and is an iron rod with a porous stone as a wick for the fuel.

Try googling it. Mine is 30-40 years old. My parents had it when I was a kid.

HH

1859

I googled "cast iron fire starter pot" and then "images" and came up with dozens of similar pots. Not to say they are not reproductions of your vintage pot.

http://www.google.ca/search?q=cast+iron+fire+starter+pot&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=lxF&rls=org.mozilla:en-USfficial&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=lo-tTo_xOKLd0QHY9JWTDw&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&ved=0CEcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1304&bih=616&sei=%20n4-tToLhA8by0gGxsuiyDw