Question on Trapezoid Powder Flasks

[Yancey von Yeast]

Hello,

I am new to the forum and thoroughly enjoying every second that I can spend reading and learning. My sincerest thanks to everyone in this wonderful community.

Here is a question. Does anyone have any ideas on how the iron mounts on the late 16th century powder flasks was originally finished? Bright? Painted? Japanned?

Also, if it is possible, what was the average height of the trapezoid musket flasks? I have never had the priviledge of handling or seeing an original in person. I do so enjoy all of the photos on the site.

Thanks so much!

Yancey C. von Yeast

[fernando]

Welcome to the forum, Yancey.
I hope soon you will have an answer to your questions

[Matchlock]

Hi Yancey,


And welcome here!

All iron mounts (not just the top mounts) on trapezoidal musketeer's powder flasks were either tinned or blued/blackened. Anyway, they were never left unfnished in a polished-bright iron surface originally - but unfortunately most museum's and private 'restorers' have tended to scrub off every tiny bit of original surface from old iron surfaces, just to present them in an unnaturally 'shiny white' ...

You will also be interested to learn that they were not only confined in time to the late 16th c. The earliest trapezoidal flasks are recorded from paintings and in collections (including mine) since at least the early 1520's (!) but seem to have come out of use by the beginning of the 17th c.

The earliest flasks had a height of ca. 16 to 18 cm, their latest forms of ca. 1600 were ca. 20-24 cm high.
Priming flasks of course were smaller, about ca. 11-13 cm.


Anyway, my following threads and posts should be able to answer your questions satisfyingly:


http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...sks+bandoliers

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...d+flask+munich

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...s+powder+flask

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...s+powder+flask

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...s+powder+flask



And please DO use the SEARCH function on the forum: enter tags like 'trapezoid(al) flasks', 'musketeer's powder flasks' or simply 'powder flasks', 'bandoliers', or 'matchlock/wheellock musket', 'landsknecht (h)arquebus' to learn about the guns used together with these flasks - and you will find a lot of stuff for your studies!


Best,
Michael

[Yancey von Yeast]

Michael,

Thank you so very much for the great information and the links to the other posts. The pictures of the items in your collection are simply amazing. I have learned so much in the short time that I have been reading and researching.

I am a black powder shooter and am building a flask to go with my matchlock musket. I have always wanted one and have never seen anything near a correct original for sale. I do know that this forum is not for reproductions, but it helps greatly in reproducing early arms and accountrements.

I love that you shoot your original muskets. I too shoot originals, but don't have any original matchlocks. New muskets simply have no soul!


Most Sincerely,

Yancey

[Yancey von Yeast]

Michael,

Yet another question. Are the L shaped iron strips on the sides of the flasks held in place with small iron nails or pins? From your photos I can't tell, but some appear that they are.

Thanks again,
Yancey

[Matchlock]

Hi Yancey,


Actually there are no L-shaped strips.
During the first half of the 16th c., the mounts along the edges are held by either small nails or pins; from the mid 16th c. onward, they are just laid on, fixed by the top and bottom mounts, and four small triangular mounts attached by screws or nails are used to reinfore the lower corners.

Best,
Michael