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Barneyboy



Member Since: 19 Nov 2014
Location: Exmoor
Posts: 1648

England 1986 Defender 90 2.5 n/a Diesel ST Nato Green
Wooden barrel ?
Hi, yesterday I came across this on a scrap wood pile at my workplace, I thought it was too nice to crush so saved it for a log bin in the house, however once I got it home on closer inspection saw it had 2 sets of marks 1 each side, please does anyone have any idea what the marks mean, searching online I can find the crown and VR marks but not the TS it also has an X on the base, the handles appear to be original they don’t appear to have been fitted at a later stage, any idea what this would have been used for, I’m going to clean it sympathetically and wax it, any thought would be gratefully received please.cheers Paul

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Post #1078107 23rd Oct 2025 5:56am
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Cragster69



Member Since: 15 Jun 2021
Location: Scotland
Posts: 256

Scotland 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Cairns Blue
Found this via a Google Lens search. I know you had found out about the crown & VR markings

Crown VR stands for "Crown Victoria Regina," meaning the object was made during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901)

"TS" typically signifies a "Trade Standard" or is a weight and measure inspector's mark, indicating the item was officially verified for its capacity or standard, often for use in pubs or other businesses. 

It could have been a Whisky or Wine (or other alcoholic liquid) barrel, something that you would want to know you are getting the correct amount of for your money as a publican?

That will look lovely cleaned up and filled with firewood Thumbs Up Craig.

“Don't believe everything you read on the internet.” ― Abraham Lincoln

www.scotgrc.co.uk
Post #1078193 23rd Oct 2025 8:29pm
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Barneyboy



Member Since: 19 Nov 2014
Location: Exmoor
Posts: 1648

England 1986 Defender 90 2.5 n/a Diesel ST Nato Green
Hi Craig, Thank you very much for that information, I’m just glad I got in the yard when I did as it would have been crushed, so it’s at least 124 years old possibly older and will live on, that’s great to also know the meaning of the TS stamp as I hadn’t found that, looking forward to sympathetically tidying it up and giving it space in our fireplace. Cheers Paul Thumbs Up
Post #1078205 24th Oct 2025 4:58am
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 18038

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
Whatever its original purpose it is a lovely thing and will be beautiful when cleaned up a little. I am glad that you were in the right place at the right time to save it, far too much interesting old stuff gets destroyed.
Post #1078220 24th Oct 2025 10:02am
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Barneyboy



Member Since: 19 Nov 2014
Location: Exmoor
Posts: 1648

England 1986 Defender 90 2.5 n/a Diesel ST Nato Green
Thank you, Unfortunately I see it daily, occasionally just in time but more often just as it’s being crushed. Thumbs Up Paul
Post #1078254 24th Oct 2025 5:53pm
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AMBxx



Member Since: 24 Jul 2016
Location: York
Posts: 1073

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Orkney Grey
If the handles are original, then it almost certainly wasn't used for wine or whisky as those barrels are designed to be stacked and rolled, so handles would just be in the way.
Any evidence it could have been cut in half and the handles added?

More likely the handles are used for carrying an open barrel or a there was also a lid. Any thoughts on what that could be. Was milk carried in anything other than the metal urns?
Post #1078297 25th Oct 2025 6:49am
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AMBxx



Member Since: 24 Jul 2016
Location: York
Posts: 1073

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Orkney Grey
Quick dose of duck.ai suggests meaure for dry ingredients such as grains.
It gave other ideas but nothing else would have needed the stamp.
Post #1078298 25th Oct 2025 6:52am
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Bowbearer



Member Since: 12 Aug 2022
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 236

United Kingdom 1985 Defender 110 200 Tdi SW Auto Baltic Blue
An old boy I used to work with in Manchester said all the Irish lads who were picked for work on the docks that day (before the unions) were given a pint of Guinness at the start of the shift.

He said they used to scoop it out of an open half barrel.

Made me think of that.

That’s the beauty of these things, guessing who and what and why.

Good find, nice to see it saved.
Post #1078308 25th Oct 2025 9:54am
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 18038

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
I don't for a moment think it's a cut-down barrel since the vertical straps between the hoops would not normally be present on a barrel. They are clearly original since they're rivetted to the hoops.

I also don't think it would be for liquid measure since the shape and size would make spillage inevitable, so I am sure it would have been for grain or similar (perhaps even gunpowder). Fill level with the top, then use the handle to tip into some other vessel perhaps.
Post #1078311 25th Oct 2025 10:36am
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