An early powder flask.

[Matchlock]

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