Antique Wooden/Copper Barrel Mug Waterproofing

[schuld66]

I recently picked up a hand-made wooden barrel mug with copper straps. It's in nice condition, except for the fact that it leaks. It feels like the inside was sealed with some type of wax, but some of it has worn away. Anyone know a way of sealing the inside of the mug to make it usable again? I'm attaching a couple of pictures.
Thanks.
319088319089

[Black Ned]

Just thinking out loud!
Maybe it should be thought of as a wine barrel that has coopered staves and metal bands that compress the wood to seal tight.
Usually a barrel leaks if it has been dried out from being empty too long.
If this was the case, then a good long soak should expand the wooden staves and create a tight seal.
Try soaking in hot water for a few hours to see if it takes up the slack.
Hope this works for you.
regards, Ned

[bsrlee]

Firstly, I's say that the mug was never really liquid tight when it was made, nor was it intended to be - they were fairly common back in the '70's and '80's as decorator items. Any wax or other goop that you found inside would be from someone trying to make it water tight, they were normally painted inside with whatever varnish was used on the outside.

If you are determined to drink out of it, and keep the contents from leaking out, then you could use 'brewer's pitch' to line the mug with. The only on-line source of it that I know of is Jas. Townsend in the US who I have dealt with successfully in the past.

Brewers Pitch 1/2 LBS BP-292, Jas. Townsend and Son, Inc. (http://jas-townsend.com/brewers-pitch-p-1339.html)

The site has basic instructions for application, it will take cold and warm beverages that do NOT contain significant amounts of alcohol - its basically processed pine sap, so guess what your whiskey will taste like. If it cracks in subsequent use just heat it up gently with a torch or hot air gun until it melts back over the crack.

[A Duke]

Hi,
A nice looking piece anyway even just to look at.
Regards