Spittoons of the Old West

These containers came in all sizes and shapes and where made of many different materials. Most people, when thinking of spittoons, think of just saloons. But spittoons could be found any where people gathered, the hardware store, jail, the barbershop, banks, hotel lobbies, even the courtroom.

The materials used to make these early containers ranged from brass to cast iron to nickel and porcelain.

Sizes varied as much as materials. The largest were called gaboons and the smallest were pocket size, often used by those suffering from tuberculosis.

Shapes consisted of the common hour glass to low profile to even the shapes of animals such as turtles and the Bradley & Hubbard Dragon spittoon.

George Pullman, Pullman Palace Car Company, manufacturer of railroad cars from the mid 1800's even had a special nickel plated low profile spittoon made for his cars.

Spittoons came into favor as public spitting on the ground became a health concern. Laws were passed and objections were raised but in the end public favor won out and it was considered ungentleman like to spit on the floor, sidewalk or ground.

Spitting anywhere, even in a spittoon, lost favor shortly after the 1918 Flu pandemic and chewing gum, of all things, began to replace the chewing of tobacco. Even cigarettes were considered more hygienic thus favored over the spitting of chewed tobacco.

p.s. keep in mind that Old West Antiques would love to talk to you about listing your items.

p.s.s. we can also provide a seasoned group of Old West Reenactors for your upcoming events

tag: spittoons