American Revolution
Rare Revolutionary War Era Small Portable Copper Still
c. 1775 Revolutionary War Era, Small Portable Copper Still, with Maker's Mark, Choice Very Fine.
This original Small Portable Copper Still measures about 6.5" wide x 8" tall. Nice copper patina. The maker's mark appears on one of the handle attachments, hallmark appears to read "GHE" within an oval punch. As noted on page 103, example #7, of George Neumann and Frank Kravic's "Collector's Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution," portable stills were used to make adult beverages for consumption at the end of the day's march. Apparently, "mash was added and slung on the back or carried in a wagon where the motion during the day hastened its fermentation. In the evening the stopper was removed and a wooden plug with a hole inserted. A copper coil was then entered into the hole and the whole unit was placed in a fire. As the distillation began, a cup would catch the daily yield of beverage." A few, minor splits can be seen on the raised ridges an the top stopper is lacking. Nonetheless, this is a well-made and very rare highly useful item that has seen little actual wear, remaining extremely clean in exceptional museum quality and perfect for display. The first we have offered.