Question:
Brown glaze thermos with original metal lid connected to handles by a chain. Perhaps designed for field workers? It is about a foot high. It is marked in black letters "Red Wing Union Ware." It is in near perfect condition with only a few galze pops at firing. Ever seen one like this? I has the birch leaf in relief on the top and bottem of the jug/bottle.

Answer: You have a Red Wing Albany slip hot water bottle (or known as a foot warmer). Yes I have seen these with the leaf design as you described here and the triangular versions as well. The triangular versions were produced in the early 1920′s. Now the good news, Your leaf design for produced for a short time in late teens. You have in your mitts the most desired and hardest to find of the two. In mint condition the value is between $275 & $325. It is a very nice piece of Red Wing to have in any collection. Al Kohlman