PRIMER FLASK for ID and COMMENT

kahnjar1 · 13th February 2016, 03:25 AM

I recently acquired this nice little brass primer flask. Across the U it measures 100mm (4") and is in good working order. The decoration suggests to me North African with Tuareg influence in terms of the decoration, and the spout has a small coral attached to the end.
The knurled knob does not move and I am not keen to force it. I suspect that it maybe SHOULD unscrew to allow filling of the flask.
Any helpful comment would be appreciated.
Stu

TomHurstAntiques · 13th February 2016, 05:11 PM

I think it might be an Islamic Omani priming flask.

kahnjar1 · 13th February 2016, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomHurstAntiques

I think it might be an Islamic Omani priming flask.

Not so sure about that. The decoration is not typical Omani---more African I think.

kahnjar1 · 15th February 2016, 07:29 PM

I seem to remember seeing that "turtle" decoration on other weapons but can not think where. Can anyone help please?

rickystl · 13th February 2016, 07:44 PM

Hi Stu.
That's a nice looking primer flask. I agree with your ID. And appears in good condition. The red stone is a nice touch. I've found that some of these flasks were made with removable end caps to fill with powder. And others that were not. But the pour spout on many, like yours is large enough to fill with powder in either case. I like it. Nice find.
Rick.

colin henshaw · 16th February 2016, 09:12 AM

Here are images of a dish I have from Omdurman, Sudan that feature similar lozenge and semi-circle decoration.

13th February 2016, 03:25 AM	#1
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,739	PRIMER FLASK for ID and COMMENT I recently acquired this nice little brass primer flask. Across the U it measures 100mm (4") and is in good working order. The decoration suggests to me North African with Tuareg influence in terms of the decoration, and the spout has a small coral attached to the end. The knurled knob does not move and I am not keen to force it. I suspect that it maybe SHOULD unscrew to allow filling of the flask. Any helpful comment would be appreciated. Stu Attached Images

15th February 2016, 07:29 PM	#4
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,739	" Turtle" decoration...from where? I seem to remember seeing that "turtle" decoration on other weapons but can not think where. Can anyone help please?

16th February 2016, 09:12 AM	#6
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Here are images of a dish I have from Omdurman, Sudan that feature similar lozenge and semi-circle decoration. Attached Images

13th February 2016, 05:11 PM	#2
TomHurstAntiques Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Dorset Posts: 38	I think it might be an Islamic Omani priming flask.

13th February 2016, 07:44 PM	#5
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,623	Hi Stu. That's a nice looking primer flask. I agree with your ID. And appears in good condition. The red stone is a nice touch. I've found that some of these flasks were made with removable end caps to fill with powder. And others that were not. But the pour spout on many, like yours is large enough to fill with powder in either case. I like it. Nice find. Rick.