This non-excavated
canister has "HOTCHKISS 3 IN JAN'Y 7 1862 PATENT" molded in raised letters on
the bottom of the lead base. Examples are found with tiers of iron balls or lead packed in
dry, sifted sawdust. The canister cylinder is made of tinned sheet-iron, ordinarily known
as tin-plate. Benjamin B. Hotchkiss patented this canister on January 7, 1862, patent
#34,058.
