An early powder flask.

[Raf]

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.