cash on the barrelhead

On the American frontier, barrels were employed as desks or tables with which to conduct transactions.

• ""[W]e're selling, to the highest bidder, and for cash on the barrel head. . . . Cash in hand, no checks accepted.""
• "[I]n 1946 the U.S. exported $2,166 million worth of food. . . . Most of this ($1,354 million) was paid for, cash on the barrelhead. But $628 million was the U.S. contribution to UNRRA stocks, and $184 million went through Lend-Lease."
• "In return for support of an Iraq invasion, Turkey wanted—and got—immediate aid, cash on the barrelhead, rather than mere assurances about future help."

• cold cash
• cash and carry
• cash on the line
• on the drum
• on the nail