YET ANOTHER FLASK for ID and COMMENT

kahnjar1 · 29th January 2018, 01:44 AM

Just arrived is this unusual powder flask. Looks to be made of copper. Balkans maybe?? What do we think Gentlemen?
Some observations: The decorated face appears to have been silvered at some stage but is now well worn and only shows on the grooves.
The back of the flask shows traces of having had either leather or some other fabric covering in the past.
The chain, now attached, appears probably not to be original. The squared loops seem more likely to have had a leather? strap thru them.
Any comments and thoughts welcome.
Stu

kahnjar1 · 1st February 2018, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

Just arrived is this unusual powder flask. Looks to be made of copper. Balkans maybe?? What do we think Gentlemen?
Some observations: The decorated face appears to have been silvered at some stage but is now well worn and only shows on the grooves.
The back of the flask shows traces of having had either leather or some other fabric covering in the past.
The chain, now attached, appears probably not to be original. The squared loops seem more likely to have had a leather? strap thru them.
Any comments and thoughts welcome.
Stu

No ideas at all??

Bob A · 1st February 2018, 10:22 PM

I agree with comments regarding chain, and square attachments.

Metalwork is pretty crude; poor design and execution. That's probably some kind of clue, but I'm unsure how to interpret it. There are places - Morocco, India, Persia, to name but a few - where I'd be surprised to see this. Given that firearms of this era and their appurtenances were not inexpensive, I'm a bit surprised that the ornamentation does not reflect this fact.

However, my experience does not extend to antique firearms at all. I'm merely feeling forced to say something, in the absence of other voices. It wouldn't surprise me to learn that I'm totally wrong.

Richard G · 2nd February 2018, 03:32 PM

Based solely on the style of the silvered copper I would have guessed at Southern Caucasus, Western Iran, Eastern Anatolia area, but I am not going to argue this very strongly.
Regards
Richard.
PS, when I say 'silvered' I am speaking metaphorically, as it were. It is almost certainly actually 'tinned'.

kronckew · 2nd February 2018, 06:32 PM

The repair on the back side is interesting...

kahnjar1 · 2nd February 2018, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

The repair on the back side is interesting...

Not actually sure it is a repair. It appears to have been made like that, but I agree an unusual feature.
Stu

rickystl · 3rd February 2018, 05:33 PM

Hi Stu.

Totally stumped on this one. The shape somehow reminds me of Tibet (?) Or maybe somewhere in Southeast Asia (?) Sorry, have no idea.

Rick

kahnjar1 · 3rd February 2018, 09:51 PM

Hi Rick,
Thanks for your thoughts. Seems this one has also stumped others as replies etc have been very slow coming. Anyway whatever it is, appears to very different from the usual. Hopefully in time some concrete info will surface.
Stu

29th January 2018, 01:44 AM	#1
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,739	YET ANOTHER FLASK for ID and COMMENT Just arrived is this unusual powder flask. Looks to be made of copper. Balkans maybe?? What do we think Gentlemen? Some observations: The decorated face appears to have been silvered at some stage but is now well worn and only shows on the grooves. The back of the flask shows traces of having had either leather or some other fabric covering in the past. The chain, now attached, appears probably not to be original. The squared loops seem more likely to have had a leather? strap thru them. Any comments and thoughts welcome. Stu Attached Images

1st February 2018, 10:22 PM	#3
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 427	I agree with comments regarding chain, and square attachments. Metalwork is pretty crude; poor design and execution. That's probably some kind of clue, but I'm unsure how to interpret it. There are places - Morocco, India, Persia, to name but a few - where I'd be surprised to see this. Given that firearms of this era and their appurtenances were not inexpensive, I'm a bit surprised that the ornamentation does not reflect this fact. However, my experience does not extend to antique firearms at all. I'm merely feeling forced to say something, in the absence of other voices. It wouldn't surprise me to learn that I'm totally wrong.

2nd February 2018, 03:32 PM	#4
Richard G Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 406	Based solely on the style of the silvered copper I would have guessed at Southern Caucasus, Western Iran, Eastern Anatolia area, but I am not going to argue this very strongly. Regards Richard. PS, when I say 'silvered' I am speaking metaphorically, as it were. It is almost certainly actually 'tinned'.

2nd February 2018, 06:32 PM	#5
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,183	The repair on the back side is interesting...

3rd February 2018, 05:33 PM	#7
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,623	Hi Stu. Totally stumped on this one. The shape somehow reminds me of Tibet (?) Or maybe somewhere in Southeast Asia (?) Sorry, have no idea. Rick

3rd February 2018, 09:51 PM	#8
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,739	Hi Rick, Thanks for your thoughts. Seems this one has also stumped others as replies etc have been very slow coming. Anyway whatever it is, appears to very different from the usual. Hopefully in time some concrete info will surface. Stu