Ottoman/Balkan Grease/Bullet Container

[kahnjar1]

Just bought this little piece. Measures approx. 55mm x 75mm. Made of brass with hinged lid. Can anyone please narrow down the origin, and also if possible please provide a translation of what I assume is Arabic script.
Thanks
Stu

[Kubur]

Hi Stu,

It's Ottoman, but I don't know from where.
Some come from North Africa, some others from the Balkans and also from Turkey. So I prefer to say just: Ottoman... Very very late 19th and beginning of 20th c.

Best,
Kubur

[kahnjar1]

...any further suggestions please and perhaps a translation?
Stu

[rickystl]

Hi Stu.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=17586

I posted a similar one two years ago this month and received some great responses. You might want to read.
We know the larger containers with the hinged lids that were fabricated from brass, silver, etc. were used to carry pre-made combustable cartridges, often used with the large Horse pistols.
But these small ones are somewhat of a curiosity. And, as Kuber mentions, many of these small ones are probably not as old as we would like them to be. But every one I've seen are made as a casting. Could be used to carry loose lead balls, grease or pre-greased patchs/patch material, flints, percussion caps, or ? I don't think anyone has been able to confirm their primary use. I wish I knew.
Thanks for posting. Here is mine that I posted two years ago.
Rick.

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by rickystl

Hi Stu.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=17586

I posted a similar one two years ago this month and received some great responses. You might want to read.
We know the larger containers with the hinged lids that were fabricated from brass, silver, etc. were used to carry pre-made combustable cartridges, often used with the large Horse pistols.
But these small ones are somewhat of a curiosity. And, as Kuber mentions, many of these small ones are probably not as old as we would like them to be. But every one I've seen are made as a casting. Could be used to carry loose lead balls, grease or pre-greased patchs/patch material, flints, percussion caps, or ? I don't think anyone has been able to confirm their primary use. I wish I knew.
Thanks for posting. Here is mine that I posted two years ago.
Rick.

Hi Rick,
I do not expect that this is that old, but it cost way less than a meal at the local restaurant. I did hope to get some better idea of origin, and if possible a translation of the script. I note that the one you show does not have a hinged lid, so assume that the lid slides on the hanging cords (now missing) ??
As you suggest above, my one looks to be cast but until it arrives I can not be sure.
Stu

[rickystl]

Hi Stu.
Yes, the lid on mine just slides up and down on a cord/strap. I've seen both this style and the hinged style. I like your's better with the hinged lid and Arabic script - which I hope you can get translated. I agree with Kubur that these are probably Ottoman generally. Anyway, your's is a nice one.
Rick.

[Kubur]

Hi Rick,

I realise that I wasn't precise enough.
Here I post mine. I can see two "families" in these grease containers.
The first one with articulated suspensions supports and the later one with rigid supports. The later ones have always their original leather suspension.
It's the reason why they are probably from the end of the 19th c. and most probably from the beginning of the 20th c.
I will post some examples.

Kubur

[Kubur]

Few examples, same style, different shapes, grease containers.