Powder horns and flasks for comments

Kmaddock · 25th May 2018, 09:24 PM

Hi
I picked up the attached at a local auction
One powder horn made from horn Quincy long and has a wooden plug nailed at bottom, wood quiet shrunken and has some age I reckon
The second part of the lot was two flasks tied together with leather thong. The small of this set is a v small horn with a spring loaded lever to enable dispensing of powder, the larger flask attached has a leather main part and a sausage like tube finished with a copper finial.
Am I correct in that the set would be one flask for change powder and the second smaller flask would be for pan finer powder.
The plug is missing from the smaller horn flask.

Am I correct in my assumption as to why two flasks together

Would any one have any idea as to origin as I hope to display with my afghan matchlock

Also any idea of age

Much appreciated

Ken

rickystl · 26th May 2018, 04:33 PM

Hi Kmaddock

The larger horn appears to be made for a left hand shooter, or otherwise carried with a shoulder strap on the left side of the torso. There may be no connection this horn has to the two smaller pieces. Although their aging do look similar for all three pieces.

The smaller set is most interesting, especially the leather piece. Could you take some additional close-up pics of the leather one ?

Thanks, Rick

Kmaddock · 26th May 2018, 09:50 PM

Hi Rick
Here you go
It looks as if a figure of eight of leather was folded over and stitched
And then the spout added
The leather on the main body is approx 10mmthick

The leather for the main body is rock solid where as the sausage is a lot softer and still quiet supple

All 3 items look to be same age but I have no story with them just came from house clearance
Regards

Ken

rickystl · 27th May 2018, 10:49 PM

Hi Ken

Here is a pic from a recent auction with a similar item. They describe it as a Tibeten powder flask. Notice the "snake like" feature.

Rick

Kmaddock · 28th May 2018, 08:28 AM

Hi Rick
I reckon they look to be cousins alright.
Thanks for posting images.
Do you think I am correct with. My one flask for charge and one for priming?
Do you mind sending me a pm as to where the auction was
Cheers
Ken

rickystl · 28th May 2018, 04:16 PM

Hi Ken

Sent you a PM.

I think (?) the larger leather container with the snake neck was used to carry small shot versus powder.

Rick

Kmaddock · 28th May 2018, 11:39 PM

Hi Rick
Found an image in of one in the collection of the Met Museum in NY
they date them as 18th century but I would imagine hard to date
Looks to be an unusual enough item

Your help is much appreciated

Ken

rickystl · 2nd June 2018, 03:44 PM

Hi Ken

That last pic from the Met you posted.........

Notice the one pouch to carry lead balls. This makes sense. That's why I think the container with the flexable, leather neck may have been designed to carry smaller bird-type shot. Sort of a crude variation of a European leather shot flask. The leather neck would help center the flow of the tiny shot into the barrel or hand for loading. Just my guess.
In any case, I believe your set is probably from the same location as the other pics posted here.

Rick

Kmaddock · 2nd June 2018, 04:41 PM

Hi Rick
I concur with your idea,

I was hoping it would be Indo Persian but will let it acompany my Afghan jazel as it is from sort of the same area.

Did not cost much and it has taught me some more about our hobby.

Thanks again for getting the ID of the object.

Regards

Ken

25th May 2018, 09:24 PM	#1
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Powder horns and flasks for comments Hi I picked up the attached at a local auction One powder horn made from horn Quincy long and has a wooden plug nailed at bottom, wood quiet shrunken and has some age I reckon The second part of the lot was two flasks tied together with leather thong. The small of this set is a v small horn with a spring loaded lever to enable dispensing of powder, the larger flask attached has a leather main part and a sausage like tube finished with a copper finial. Am I correct in that the set would be one flask for change powder and the second smaller flask would be for pan finer powder. The plug is missing from the smaller horn flask. Am I correct in my assumption as to why two flasks together Would any one have any idea as to origin as I hope to display with my afghan matchlock Also any idea of age Much appreciated Ken Attached Images

26th May 2018, 09:50 PM	#3
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Hi Rick Here you go It looks as if a figure of eight of leather was folded over and stitched And then the spout added The leather on the main body is approx 10mmthick The leather for the main body is rock solid where as the sausage is a lot softer and still quiet supple All 3 items look to be same age but I have no story with them just came from house clearance Regards Ken Attached Images

27th May 2018, 10:49 PM	#4
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,623	Hi Ken Here is a pic from a recent auction with a similar item. They describe it as a Tibeten powder flask. Notice the "snake like" feature. Rick Attached Images

28th May 2018, 11:39 PM	#7
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Hi Rick Found an image in of one in the collection of the Met Museum in NY they date them as 18th century but I would imagine hard to date Looks to be an unusual enough item Your help is much appreciated Ken Attached Images

26th May 2018, 04:33 PM	#2
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,623	Hi Kmaddock The larger horn appears to be made for a left hand shooter, or otherwise carried with a shoulder strap on the left side of the torso. There may be no connection this horn has to the two smaller pieces. Although their aging do look similar for all three pieces. The smaller set is most interesting, especially the leather piece. Could you take some additional close-up pics of the leather one ? Thanks, Rick

28th May 2018, 08:28 AM	#5
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Hi Rick I reckon they look to be cousins alright. Thanks for posting images. Do you think I am correct with. My one flask for charge and one for priming? Do you mind sending me a pm as to where the auction was Cheers Ken

28th May 2018, 04:16 PM	#6
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,623	Hi Ken Sent you a PM. I think (?) the larger leather container with the snake neck was used to carry small shot versus powder. Rick

2nd June 2018, 03:44 PM	#8
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,623	Hi Ken That last pic from the Met you posted......... Notice the one pouch to carry lead balls. This makes sense. That's why I think the container with the flexable, leather neck may have been designed to carry smaller bird-type shot. Sort of a crude variation of a European leather shot flask. The leather neck would help center the flow of the tiny shot into the barrel or hand for loading. Just my guess. In any case, I believe your set is probably from the same location as the other pics posted here. Rick

2nd June 2018, 04:41 PM	#9
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Hi Rick I concur with your idea, I was hoping it would be Indo Persian but will let it acompany my Afghan jazel as it is from sort of the same area. Did not cost much and it has taught me some more about our hobby. Thanks again for getting the ID of the object. Regards Ken