Rare and Highly Important Saxon Hemispherical Powder Flasks, ca. 1585-1595

Matchlock · 9th December 2014, 04:41 PM

Another highly decorated hemispherical Saxon flask, dated 1584 and representing the second highest level of quality: the pear wood body inlaid in the same manner as the flask discussed in the first post but the top mounts and the top rings for a suspension cord all consisting of etched iron, the front plaque - corresponding to the central pommel plate of the respective puffers - of embossed silver; the pistol stocks were inlaid en suite.
Rüstkammer Dresden, the former Saxon Royal Collections.

The images attached below were retrieved from a Durch dealer's site, Bolk, in 2010; they depict a Saxon puffer, dated 1587, the stock inlaid in the manner of Klaus Hirt von Wasungen but with no original staining left, and all the bluing gone from the lock and barrel.
Please note that large areas of the wood - possibly cherry - are left undecorated on the forestock - cf. post #1 - and that the iron hook on the left side is NOT a "belt" hook but a holster hook: the pistol was carried in the holster with the hook pressing against the outside of the leather, securing a tight hold.

Matchlock · 9th December 2014, 11:59 PM

A pair of unusually long Saxon puffers, the barrels dated 1596 and the stocks inlaid in a manner simlilar to that on the flask in discussion, though not quite matching the extreme density of the former, and the pommel plaques of silver whereas that of the flask is of gold.
Saved from Facebook.

Matchlock · 18th December 2014, 09:31 PM

Two more Saxon samples, ca. 1585-1600, the wrought iron mounts etched and the central plate of engraved silver - corresponding to the en suite style of the pommel plates of the pair of wheellock puffers and the silver mounts of patrons/cartridge boxes, all forming a complete set for a guardsman of the Electors of Saxony.
The pearwood body of the first specimen is carved with the guardsman's monogram.
Note that even the rings for the suspension cord are etched.
Diameter 8 cm.

The first item went quite cheap for the overall surface of the nubby pearwood was quite worn, and far from its original crispness. Also, the stippled ground of the etching hardly retained some of its former blackening, for contrast to the raised surface polished bright.
When it comes to collecting and to money, condition is what counts.

The perfectly crisp condition of the second flask, from the same series, makes all the difference; nevertheless, it failed to sell.

Best,
Michael

Matchlock · 19th December 2014, 03:09 PM

A few more details.

Matchlock · 19th December 2014, 03:26 PM

Another Saxon hemispherical flask of the same type and from the same series, most probably all made in Suhl workshops, but the plainest variant of them all; the wrought iron surfaces were blued originally.

Matchlock · 26th December 2014, 03:36 PM

Another flask of hemispheric shape and often associated with those used by the Trabanten-Leibgarde of the Electors of Saxony, ca. 1590-1600; the embossed and gilt lion leads charcateristic of the Saxon style.

Found on Pinterest.

m

9th December 2014, 11:59 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	A pair of unusually long Saxon puffers, the barrels dated 1596 and the stocks inlaid in a manner simlilar to that on the flask in discussion, though not quite matching the extreme density of the former, and the pommel plaques of silver whereas that of the flask is of gold. Saved from Facebook. Attached Images

18th December 2014, 09:31 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Two more Saxon samples, ca. 1585-1600, the wrought iron mounts etched and the central plate of engraved silver - corresponding to the en suite style of the pommel plates of the pair of wheellock puffers and the silver mounts of patrons/cartridge boxes, all forming a complete set for a guardsman of the Electors of Saxony. The pearwood body of the first specimen is carved with the guardsman's monogram. Note that even the rings for the suspension cord are etched. Diameter 8 cm. The first item went quite cheap for the overall surface of the nubby pearwood was quite worn, and far from its original crispness. Also, the stippled ground of the etching hardly retained some of its former blackening, for contrast to the raised surface polished bright. When it comes to collecting and to money, condition is what counts. The perfectly crisp condition of the second flask, from the same series, makes all the difference; nevertheless, it failed to sell. Best, Michael Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 19th December 2014 at 03:08 PM.

19th December 2014, 03:09 PM	#4
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	A few more details. Attached Images

19th December 2014, 03:26 PM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Another Saxon hemispherical flask of the same type and from the same series, most probably all made in Suhl workshops, but the plainest variant of them all; the wrought iron surfaces were blued originally. Attached Images

26th December 2014, 03:36 PM	#6
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Another flask of hemispheric shape and often associated with those used by the Trabanten-Leibgarde of the Electors of Saxony, ca. 1590-1600; the embossed and gilt lion leads charcateristic of the Saxon style. Found on Pinterest. m Attached Images

9th December 2014, 04:41 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Another highly decorated hemispherical Saxon flask, dated 1584 and representing the second highest level of quality: the pear wood body inlaid in the same manner as the flask discussed in the first post but the top mounts and the top rings for a suspension cord all consisting of etched iron, the front plaque - corresponding to the central pommel plate of the respective puffers - of embossed silver; the pistol stocks were inlaid en suite. Rüstkammer Dresden, the former Saxon Royal Collections. The images attached below were retrieved from a Durch dealer's site, Bolk, in 2010; they depict a Saxon puffer, dated 1587, the stock inlaid in the manner of Klaus Hirt von Wasungen but with no original staining left, and all the bluing gone from the lock and barrel. Please note that large areas of the wood - possibly cherry - are left undecorated on the forestock - cf. post #1 - and that the iron hook on the left side is NOT a "belt" hook but a holster hook: the pistol was carried in the holster with the hook pressing against the outside of the leather, securing a tight hold. Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 9th December 2014 at 08:36 PM.