Money on the barrel head

Posted by Bruce Kahl August 25, 2000In reply to Money on the barrel head posted by Richard Washington on August 25, 2000

I know this probably means: "Money up front"
What I would like to know is, "What is a barrel head and how did this saying originate."
I would really appreciate any imput
Richard

A barrel head is the top flat side of a barrel.
Picture a sea port and a ship is delivering barrels of salt or tar or some other item. The seller and the buyer stand facing each other with a barrel between them and strike a deal. The cash is put on the barrel, the seller takes the cash and the buyer takes the barrel after he paid for it "on the barrel head".