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FORT WINGATE, NEW MEXICO
RELIC “US” MARKED BUCKET:
Recovered in the hills above Ft. Wingate, New Mexico,
west of Albuquerque on Route 66, this “US” marked
galvanized iron bucket is the type that was used for a
variety of purposes throughout the army. Whether
cleaning the barracks, preparing or cleaning up after
meals, or on stable duty, the soldiers found these
buckets to be as indispensable as any other piece of
equipment they were issued.
Measuring 10 ½” high, 11”
in diameter at the top and 9 ½” across the bottom, the
bucket shows evidence of use and exposure, but it still
retains its basic shape and the “US” embossed on the
side is full form and legible. The various dents and
evidence of aging can be seen in the photographs below.
The heavy walled sides are fully intact with no holes or
splits. The bottom has suffered the greatest effects of
exposure as it is rusted through in several points
around the circumference. The bottom plate is still
intact and is not significantly weakened, supported by
the iron straps that cross the exterior of the bottom of
the bucket. The handle or bale is full length and is
solid. The bale loop is full form and present on one
side and the top loop is broken away on the other –
possibly the reason the bucket was discarded. The hook
on that end of the bale will engage the heavy wire rim
of the bucket and for display purposes the bale will
appear to be attached to the loops on both sides or it
could be replaced by a skilled welder.
This bucket is the sort of
basic Frontier Army equipment that rarely survived every
day use and exposure to the elements, and seldom shows
up on the market. This would be a perfect piece to
display at the foot of one of the Army bunks or
alongside a McClellan Saddle, and it would also serve
well as a trash can in your display room or beside your
desk. SOLD
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