An early powder flask.

Raf · 6th January 2014, 01:13 PM

One would like to think that this recently acquired object owes its survival as a reminder to a previous owner of an unfortunate incident with an exploding powder flask . The pierced steel frame is lined with thin leather covered boards and the missing wooden base was evidently simply wedged and glued to the lining boards . Similarly the missing top has been wedged into the feathered edge of the lining boards and secured with three relatively small nails. Which shows how the composite design of these flasks ensured that such accidents , unpleasant as they no doubt were , were not necessarily life threatening.
Any comments on date and type or style of spout would be appreciated.

Matchlock · 6th January 2014, 07:42 PM

Hi Raf,

This is the body only (the iron top mount comprising measure pourer and spring-loaded cut-off missing, with the hook on the reverse for attaching the flask to the leather frog retained) of a North Italian musketeers powder flask with wooden body and pierced iron mounts, ca. 1580. Its present height will probably be ca. 13 to 15 cm.

I posted a very similar but completely preserved item, the body covered with ray skin, and will post more variant samples soon. The second item, with the many screws on the fluted front, is ca. 1560 and complete with its reverse frog hook; the third is ca. 1580, the hook missing from the rear. In most cases their wooden body is completely covered with either leather or fluted iron.

This shape of flasks first appeared in the 1550's and vanished in about 1600.

Best,
Michael

Matchlock · 6th January 2014, 08:43 PM

More samples, ranging from the 1550's (with the early-style serpent-shaped horizontal cutoff) to ca. 1590.

m

Matchlock · 6th January 2014, 08:48 PM

And some more.

m

Matchlock · 8th January 2014, 08:53 AM

No further comments at all?

Raf?

Matchlock · 8th January 2014, 09:06 AM

Another sample of that group, the body covered with tooled leather; Italy, ca. 1580.
The lateral loops for suspension of tassels are replacements, the hook for the belt or for a leather frog on the reverse and the cut-off spring on the basal plate of the top mount are missing.

m

6th January 2014, 01:13 PM	#1
Raf Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 252	An early powder flask. One would like to think that this recently acquired object owes its survival as a reminder to a previous owner of an unfortunate incident with an exploding powder flask . The pierced steel frame is lined with thin leather covered boards and the missing wooden base was evidently simply wedged and glued to the lining boards . Similarly the missing top has been wedged into the feathered edge of the lining boards and secured with three relatively small nails. Which shows how the composite design of these flasks ensured that such accidents , unpleasant as they no doubt were , were not necessarily life threatening. Any comments on date and type or style of spout would be appreciated. Attached Images Last edited by Raf; 6th January 2014 at 02:47 PM.

6th January 2014, 07:42 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Raf, This is the body only (the iron top mount comprising measure pourer and spring-loaded cut-off missing, with the hook on the reverse for attaching the flask to the leather frog retained) of a North Italian musketeers powder flask with wooden body and pierced iron mounts, ca. 1580. Its present height will probably be ca. 13 to 15 cm. I posted a very similar but completely preserved item, the body covered with ray skin, and will post more variant samples soon. The second item, with the many screws on the fluted front, is ca. 1560 and complete with its reverse frog hook; the third is ca. 1580, the hook missing from the rear. In most cases their wooden body is completely covered with either leather or fluted iron. This shape of flasks first appeared in the 1550's and vanished in about 1600. Best, Michael Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 6th January 2014 at 09:28 PM.

6th January 2014, 08:43 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	More samples, ranging from the 1550's (with the early-style serpent-shaped horizontal cutoff) to ca. 1590. m Attached Images

6th January 2014, 08:48 PM	#4
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	And some more. m Attached Images

8th January 2014, 09:06 AM	#6
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Another sample of that group, the body covered with tooled leather; Italy, ca. 1580. The lateral loops for suspension of tassels are replacements, the hook for the belt or for a leather frog on the reverse and the cut-off spring on the basal plate of the top mount are missing. m Attached Images

8th January 2014, 08:53 AM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	No further comments at all? Raf?