View Full Version : Powder horns and flasks for comments
Kmaddock
25th May 2018, 08:24 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, 03:33 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, 08:50 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, 09:49 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, 07:28 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, 03:16 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, 10:39 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, 02:44 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, 03:41 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
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