Bullet Container? Mystery?

rickystl · 7th September 2013, 07:01 PM

Hello everyone. Well, I finally bought one of these out of curiosity. There are a few of these that are offered for sale on Ebay. These small containers are described for carrying bullets, grease, patches, etc. These are too small to carry pre-made cartridges. And I don't believe these were used to carry greased patches and the like. The body and lid are cast brass. The crude casting does look old. I don't think these items would have much Tourist interest.
So, my question is: Does anyone know what these were actually used for?
Any help appreciated. Thanks, Rick.

TVV · 7th September 2013, 08:07 PM

Rick,

Storing grease is possible. It may have also been used for storing caps for percussions locks.

Regards,
Teodor

rickystl · 9th September 2013, 12:33 AM

Hi TVV. I also thought maybe percussion caps. But the vast majority of that area all but skipped the percussion era, due to their high cost and scarcity. Jumping from the flintlock to self contained cartridge. There seem to be too many of these small containers around to have been used for percussion caps. But maybe flints

Well, maybe some others have ideas? Thanks, Rick.

colin henshaw · 9th September 2013, 04:19 PM

Its probably a lime container from Southern Asia, as used in the consumption of betel.

rickystl · 14th September 2013, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

Its probably a lime container from Southern Asia, as used in the consumption of betel.

Hi Colin. As strange as that sounds to me, it actually makes more sense. Thanks. Rick.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 16th September 2013, 05:03 PM

Salaams all ~ I have a picture somewhere of these items in a Syrian publication and will post asap..For caps/ flints I suppose.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 19th September 2013, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickystl

Hello everyone. Well, I finally bought one of these out of curiosity. There are a few of these that are offered for sale on Ebay. These small containers are described for carrying bullets, grease, patches, etc. These are too small to carry pre-made cartridges. And I don't believe these were used to carry greased patches and the like. The body and lid are cast brass. The crude casting does look old. I don't think these items would have much Tourist interest.
So, my question is: Does anyone know what these were actually used for?
Any help appreciated. Thanks, Rick.

Salaams rickystl I think these are related ...

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

rickystl · 22nd September 2013, 08:26 PM

Hi Ibrahiim! Thank you very much for the photo. I will save it in my library. I notice the three containers on the top row which are the typical Ottoman brass containers to hold combustible cartridges. The bottom row showing a fourth container, powder flask, and yes - two small containers. They do all seem related. I'm now more convinced these small containers were used to carry pre-knapped flints. And maybe percussion caps if available.
Thanks again for your help. Most appreciated. Rick.

archer · 6th October 2013, 09:47 PM

Rickystl, I just looked at this container on an Ottoman belt? seeing a khol like substance I thought of your very similar item, but, now I'm seeing the same gummy on black grease on other items on the belt. I hope adding this to your post will renew the quest for the uses of these items and gives us some answers.

This belt of Turkisk origins has a couple of pieces that puzzle me as to their
actual use the round brass case looks like the older Islamic watches found
in Turkey. How was this tube used. Did it carry rolled up messages?

Steve

junker · 19th October 2013, 07:57 PM

Hi,
Hello, Anthony Tirri, in his book "Islamic Weapons", says it is a Bullet container and in Robert Elgood "Arms of Greece" i found an oil Picture dated from 1850 with the followin detail

Dirk

7th September 2013, 07:01 PM	#1
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,623	Bullet Container? Mystery? Hello everyone. Well, I finally bought one of these out of curiosity. There are a few of these that are offered for sale on Ebay. These small containers are described for carrying bullets, grease, patches, etc. These are too small to carry pre-made cartridges. And I don't believe these were used to carry greased patches and the like. The body and lid are cast brass. The crude casting does look old. I don't think these items would have much Tourist interest. So, my question is: Does anyone know what these were actually used for? Any help appreciated. Thanks, Rick. Attached Images

6th October 2013, 09:47 PM	#9
archer Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 373	Additional gun related objects Rickystl, I just looked at this container on an Ottoman belt? seeing a khol like substance I thought of your very similar item, but, now I'm seeing the same gummy on black grease on other items on the belt. I hope adding this to your post will renew the quest for the uses of these items and gives us some answers. This belt of Turkisk origins has a couple of pieces that puzzle me as to their actual use the round brass case looks like the older Islamic watches found in Turkey. How was this tube used. Did it carry rolled up messages? Steve Attached Images

19th October 2013, 07:57 PM	#10
junker Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 140	Bullet Container Hi, Hello, Anthony Tirri, in his book "Islamic Weapons", says it is a Bullet container and in Robert Elgood "Arms of Greece" i found an oil Picture dated from 1850 with the followin detail Dirk Attached Images

7th September 2013, 08:07 PM	#2
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,622	Rick, Storing grease is possible. It may have also been used for storing caps for percussions locks. Regards, Teodor

9th September 2013, 12:33 AM	#3
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,623	Hi TVV. I also thought maybe percussion caps. But the vast majority of that area all but skipped the percussion era, due to their high cost and scarcity. Jumping from the flintlock to self contained cartridge. There seem to be too many of these small containers around to have been used for percussion caps. But maybe flints Well, maybe some others have ideas? Thanks, Rick.

9th September 2013, 04:19 PM	#4
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Its probably a lime container from Southern Asia, as used in the consumption of betel.

16th September 2013, 05:03 PM	#6
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Salaams all ~ I have a picture somewhere of these items in a Syrian publication and will post asap..For caps/ flints I suppose. Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

22nd September 2013, 08:26 PM	#8
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,623	Hi Ibrahiim! Thank you very much for the photo. I will save it in my library. I notice the three containers on the top row which are the typical Ottoman brass containers to hold combustible cartridges. The bottom row showing a fourth container, powder flask, and yes - two small containers. They do all seem related. I'm now more convinced these small containers were used to carry pre-knapped flints. And maybe percussion caps if available. Thanks again for your help. Most appreciated. Rick.