Traded mint cederwood Gardner pattern Confederate canteen with turned mouthpiece and the nicely done initials" J.E.B." for an 1860 Colt army (matching with full cylynder scene, no blue, cool end of barell holster wear from horseback riding, and it shoots great) plus an 1816 Remington Maynard conversion rifled musket ( about in as issued cond.). Thinking I did good. A couple months later I spotted a picture of the guy in a trade mag. holding the canteen. After six or seven years of inflation I am almost back to even. The plus side is I have shot the heck out of that Colt ( tack driver ) with original nipples and springs and it is no worse for the wear.
I paid what I had in my wallet for the canteen at an antique consignment shop ( $98 ). I think about this every so often (research!). Through experience I have found I should not keep wood or textiles so it is for the best.
