Help figuring out what this is? Pottery

I received this from my dad along with some First American artifacts. I was told it is a canteen. It is hollow and would hold water. I’m not sure it’s native but it’s possible it was made for trade to the native peoples. It has stamped on one side a “B” a “T” followed by what may be a date “ 0 4 0 0 “ followed by a symbol could be a flying bird.
I’ve tried goggling the image but no luck. Anybody have any idea where I might find out any more information?

maybe you could email this pic to the Natural History Museum. They might could help you.



Image archives.

thanks I'll give it a shot.

Stone age pacifier?

LOL

They just had one of those on the Antiques Roadshow last week.

I can't remember what it was called but the person had a bunch of pottery from a Pueblo in NM. Pottery made by the teacher who taught a famous potter her skills. Maria Martinez.

Or maybe it was on American Pickers? They were in Alabama and found a bunch of pottery.

It's called a "ring jug". Soldiers would carry ring jugs to hold their water or wine in while walking to war. A ring jug could also be put over the saddle horn while riding a horse to battle. There's a ton of information if you google that term. Here's one good discussion with a photo that looks very similar to yours.

http://www.mintmuseum.org/craftingnc/02-02-001-c.htm

that's it. thank you, thank you.

I must have seen it on American Pickers then.

I was going to guess that it could be found in Fascinations'