9 Pounder Bucket Identification

[rob love]

While browsing through photos of 9 pounders on the net, I ran across the attached photo of a 9pdr in Gagetown museum. There is an oval pail with lid in the photo that looks familiar to me, but, personally, I thought they were a field kitchen accessory rather than an artillery accessory. But I am ready to learn otherwise. Does anyone recognize the pail and can they identify the actual use. I have a couple of nice minty ones I got from my favorite scrapyard, and perhaps rather than simply holding parts in the shed, they can be redirected to a more meaningful existence.

[Wayne Henderson]

Hi Rob,
The RAAHS here in Perth did up a 15 pounder over 20 years ago plus several other German "Trophy Guns".
The German guns, research I did, used to have ropes and implements that hung from the axle, some times attached to the limber.
I recall a discussion about water buckets which were used by Artillery men since forever. Buckets, sponges and mop brushes were used to clean the barrel internals with water.
Even practised in the times of the 25pr as Cordite was very corrosive and water was poured down the barrel soon after firing. Not a pleasant job.
Nice bucket!

[rob love]

Thanks Wayne for the info.



I got an answer form a friend today about the buckets....they are indeed a cooking vessel referred to as a kettle. He sent me the following page which shows a photo of them in use.

[Chris Suslowicz]

I knew those as 'dixies', which in "tales from the supply depot" is derived from the Hindi word 'degchi' meaning a small pot. (Yet another word stolen by the English language!)

Chris.

[rob love]

Thanks Chris, I too found a reference to them as "Dixies". I'll attach a pair of photos I got from the net of them in service. Although I now know they are not gun related, I would like to find some information as to what handle was used to lift the lids off, noting that there are a pair of different size footman loops on the lid.