Holster or amputated limb peg leg?

Kmaddock · 3rd December 2016, 08:48 PM

Hi
I just purchased the attached and was wondering if I could get an opinion or two
Very well made hard leather, v good stitching and evidence of something more was once stitched around top of bucket
Loops going all the way round the upper part cut into leather so it could have a strap or rope all around its circumference
Leather v v heavy and 4 to 5 MM in thickness
No markings except EC stamped into leather

Length overall 15 inches
Diameter of narrow part 5 cm
Diameter of bucket part 10 cm

The chap in the shop reckoned if was a peg leg, to cover where limb was amputated, I do not think so especially as bottom part has no wear at all where it would be wearing against ground and no evidence of metal cap that would be used to tip the end.
I taught it might be a flintlock holster
I have it purchased now so whatever it is it is mine
Did not cost much so if it turns out to be a muzzle for a pelican let me know either way
Regards
Ken

fernando · 3rd December 2016, 11:38 PM

A pistol holster, i wouldn't doubt.

Kmaddock · 4th December 2016, 08:49 AM

Hi Fernando
Thanks for that
After a bit of searching I reckon it is a pommel holster/ bucket holster for a flintlock pistol
The loop may have been to attach a leather strap around the holster and attach then to a sling or
Attach to another holster and sling the pair of holsters over a horse in front of the saddle
There is not much information that I could find on these pistol acroutments
Would anyone care to guesstimate age.
As the barrel is so long I am thinking late 1700/ early 1800?
Regards
Ken

fernando · 4th December 2016, 11:58 AM

Yes, this one must have belonged in a pair.
Here are some lousy pictures taken with a camera from the "Collector's Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution", by George C. Neuman.
The book binding is too tight and the page margins are narrow; not possible to do it with the scanner.

.

fernando · 4th December 2016, 12:25 PM

Apparently horse pistol holsters were already used by the time of the wheellock system.
Here is the equestrian statue of Portuguese King Dom João IV (1630-1645), sculpted F. Franco in the 19th century; this assuming the artist has not given wings to his imagination.

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Kmaddock · 4th December 2016, 02:13 PM

Hi Fernando
Many thanks for the information and all the images
Very happy with my purchase and at a bargain price, I think.
I got my eight year son to do the negotiating so he learned a bit from the purchase as well
I will edit the thread to give a more definitive descriptor
Best regards
Ken

3rd December 2016, 08:48 PM	#1
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Holster for flintlock pistol, pommel holster Hi I just purchased the attached and was wondering if I could get an opinion or two Very well made hard leather, v good stitching and evidence of something more was once stitched around top of bucket Loops going all the way round the upper part cut into leather so it could have a strap or rope all around its circumference Leather v v heavy and 4 to 5 MM in thickness No markings except EC stamped into leather Length overall 15 inches Diameter of narrow part 5 cm Diameter of bucket part 10 cm The chap in the shop reckoned if was a peg leg, to cover where limb was amputated, I do not think so especially as bottom part has no wear at all where it would be wearing against ground and no evidence of metal cap that would be used to tip the end. I taught it might be a flintlock holster I have it purchased now so whatever it is it is mine Did not cost much so if it turns out to be a muzzle for a pelican let me know either way Regards Ken Attached Images Last edited by Kmaddock; 4th December 2016 at 03:11 PM.

4th December 2016, 11:58 AM	#4
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Yes, this one must have belonged in a pair. Here are some lousy pictures taken with a camera from the "Collector's Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution", by George C. Neuman. The book binding is too tight and the page margins are narrow; not possible to do it with the scanner. . Attached Images

4th December 2016, 12:25 PM	#5
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Apparently horse pistol holsters were already used by the time of the wheellock system. Here is the equestrian statue of Portuguese King Dom João IV (1630-1645), sculpted F. Franco in the 19th century; this assuming the artist has not given wings to his imagination. - Attached Images

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3rd December 2016, 11:38 PM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	A pistol holster, i wouldn't doubt.

4th December 2016, 08:49 AM	#3
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Hi Fernando Thanks for that After a bit of searching I reckon it is a pommel holster/ bucket holster for a flintlock pistol The loop may have been to attach a leather strap around the holster and attach then to a sling or Attach to another holster and sling the pair of holsters over a horse in front of the saddle There is not much information that I could find on these pistol acroutments Would anyone care to guesstimate age. As the barrel is so long I am thinking late 1700/ early 1800? Regards Ken

4th December 2016, 02:13 PM	#6
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Hi Fernando Many thanks for the information and all the images Very happy with my purchase and at a bargain price, I think. I got my eight year son to do the negotiating so he learned a bit from the purchase as well I will edit the thread to give a more definitive descriptor Best regards Ken