Wheellock Powderflask

Matchlock · 9th June 2012, 06:46 PM

This is a flask of the type Joe 123 posted (post #1).

The auction house stated that the flask was originally part of a soldier carrying a wheellock; however, as wheellocks were extremely rare in military use it was most probably an accouterment accompanying a matchlock caliver, as depicted by de Gheyn in 1607-8 (see post #2).

The flattened, curved body of cowhorn, characteristically engraved with two warriors all'antica on the obverse, and concentric circles on the reverse, the narrow sides also showing their typical pattern, and the ground of the engravings retaining its original deep blackening; the iron top und lower mounts retaining their original blued surface (now heavily patinated overall), and complete with its reverse hook.
The hook on all calivermen's flasks was actually not a 'belt hook' but was for attaching the flask to the leather frog.
The spring of the manually operated nozzle lid is missing from the top mount.

These flasks were made in large numbers in various Nuremberg workshops, with dated samples recorded from the 1590's to 1619 (the latest recorded date, as far as I remember).

As many of these are still around, perfect overall condition is the most important criterion when selecting a piece for your collection.

Best,
m

Matchlock · 9th June 2012, 06:51 PM

For more calivermen's flasks and their leather frogs, please see

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...=leather+frogs

m

Matchlock · 18th June 2012, 10:19 PM

For another specimen dated 1606, see

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

post # 3.

9th June 2012, 06:46 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	A Good Nuremberg Caliverman's Flask, ca. 1600 This is a flask of the type Joe 123 posted (post #1). The auction house stated that the flask was originally part of a soldier carrying a wheellock; however, as wheellocks were extremely rare in military use it was most probably an accouterment accompanying a matchlock caliver, as depicted by de Gheyn in 1607-8 (see post #2). The flattened, curved body of cowhorn, characteristically engraved with two warriors all'antica on the obverse, and concentric circles on the reverse, the narrow sides also showing their typical pattern, and the ground of the engravings retaining its original deep blackening; the iron top und lower mounts retaining their original blued surface (now heavily patinated overall), and complete with its reverse hook. The hook on all calivermen's flasks was actually not a 'belt hook' but was for attaching the flask to the leather frog. The spring of the manually operated nozzle lid is missing from the top mount. These flasks were made in large numbers in various Nuremberg workshops, with dated samples recorded from the 1590's to 1619 (the latest recorded date, as far as I remember). As many of these are still around, perfect overall condition is the most important criterion when selecting a piece for your collection. Best, m Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 9th June 2012 at 08:06 PM.

9th June 2012, 06:51 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	For more calivermen's flasks and their leather frogs, please see http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...=leather+frogs m Last edited by Matchlock; 9th June 2012 at 07:59 PM.

18th June 2012, 10:19 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	For another specimen dated 1606, see http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...s+powder+flask, post # 3.