{"product_id":"untitled-apr26_04-58","title":"Vintage Bait Canteen Fishing Box c. 1940s–1950s | Reno, NV Antiques","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Piece\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA mid-century American bait canteen, manufactured in Oberlin, Ohio and marked with U.S. Patent No. 2,328,993, issued in 1943. Designed as a portable live-bait container, this piece reflects a period when outdoor equipment prioritized durability, simplicity, and function above all else.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConstructed with a painted steel frame and masonite panels, the box features its original olive green and yellow colorway, along with a stamped typographic logo reading “Bait Canteen.” A wire carry handle and dual-latch top secure a removable inner lid, allowing for controlled access while maintaining ventilation through a top aperture—an essential feature for preserving live bait during transport.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe interior remains raw and utilitarian, showing clear evidence of use, consistent with its intended purpose. This is not a decorative reproduction—it is an authentic working object from mid-century American fishing culture.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistorical Context\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFollowing World War II, American manufacturing shifted toward consumer goods, with an emphasis on practical outdoor equipment for a growing middle class. Fishing, camping, and recreational hunting became defining leisure activities, and products like this bait canteen were produced to meet demand for portable, rugged gear.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe use of masonite—a compressed fiberboard widely adopted in the 1930s–50s—combined with painted steel reflects both material efficiency and industrial design trends of the era. Oberlin, Ohio, a small manufacturing hub, was home to several such utility-focused producers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe patent date anchors this piece firmly in the early 1940s, with production likely extending into the early 1950s.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"964.0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAttribute\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDetails\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eType\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFishing Bait Canteen \/ Live Bait Box\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEra\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ec. 1940s–1950s\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOberlin, Ohio, USA\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePatent\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eU.S. Patent No. 2,328,993 (1943)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterials\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePainted steel frame, masonite panels\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eColor\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOlive green frame with yellow trim\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInterior\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRaw masonite (unlined)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eClosure\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDual metal latch system\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHandle\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFixed wire carry handle\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVentilation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTop air hole for live bait\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd valign=\"middle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVintage wear with interior staining consistent with use\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition Notes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConsistent with age and use, the interior shows visible staining and wear from prior bait storage. Exterior retains original paint with minor scuffs, edge wear, and light oxidation on hardware. Structurally sound, with all components intact and functional.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis piece has not been over-restored, \u003cbr\u003epreserving its original character and patina.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eshelf styling in a study, office, or cabin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003elayered vignettes with books, tools, or natural materials\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecollectors of early American outdoor equipment\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eanyone tired of fake “distressed” décor pretending to have a story\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Viridian Eclection","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43160890376297,"sku":null,"price":84.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0651\/0093\/9369\/files\/44C76692-095F-452D-BF09-3E9EF48E9EB5.png?v=1777277277","url":"https:\/\/viridianeclection.com\/products\/untitled-apr26_04-58","provider":"Viridian Eclection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}