Info on this powder flask

[Matchlock]

Originally Posted by Jean-Marc S.

Dear Super Michael,

What an impressive collection you have !!!
Which flasks of the two shown in my last posts would better match a schwarze reiter officer armor dating to 1560-70 ?
My best,
jm

Thanks a lot, JM!

I have always believed, and acted accordingly, that ultimate perfection to the tiniest detail is what counts when selecting and purchasing an item that is not exactly unique.

Concerning the Schwarze Reiter, I am afraid that no flask at all would match their accouterments. From all we know, wheellock pistols and carbines were not designed to, and could not, be loaded from flask on horseback. As soon as the (usually four or five) paper cartridges contained in either the cartridge box or a side bag of the pistol holster had run out the rider would have to return behind the lines.

I wish to add that my own firing experiences with original 17th century military wheellocks have shown that after ca. 8 to 10 rounds, usually both the pan and the surroundings of the wheel have been dirtied by both powder remains and small pieces of pyrites to such an extent that a certain amount of cleaning and/or oiling is necessary. Otherwise the wheel will be hampered in rotation, both when spanning it and in the process of spinning back and firing. Thus the fact that the largest number of recesses for paper cartridges in a patron/cartridge box that I have ever seen was nine, seems to have been inspired by practical use and experience.

As to the priming powder, it is presumed that a small portion of the powder contained in the paper cartridge was employed for priming the pan before letting the main amount of the powder plus the ball down the barrel, shoving the crumbled paper into the muzzle and ramming everything down with the ramrod.

For further reference on patrons/cartridge boxes, and a ca. 1620 wheellock pistol holster found untouched and retaining remains of paper cartridges and powder, the paper from a reused piece of neswpaper and dated 1621, please see

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...k+holster+1621

and scroll all the way down.



Best,
m

[Jean-Marc S.]

Thanks Super Michael !

[Matchlock]

The two earliest pieces of period artwork depicting triangular arquebusiers' flasks:

- painting of the Battle of Pavia, 1525; by Ruprecht Heller, 1529, National Museum Stockholm (this is the earliest type with a leather pouch; see samples in author's colln. and the Munich armory above)

- tapestry on Charles V's Conquest of Tunis, 1535; note belt hook and thick, early matchcord; Madrid

For earliest matchcord, see

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=15668


m

[Matchlock]

For a highly unusual musketeer's flask in my collection, combined with an additional priming powder compartment plus a container for paper cartridges, Nuremberg, ca. 1580-1600, please see

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...teer%27s+flask

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Matchlock

For a highly unusual musketeer's flask in my collection, combined with an additional priming powder compartment plus a container for paper cartridges, Nuremberg, ca. 1580-1600, please see

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...teer%27s+flask

Salaams Matchlock ~ I was looking at some old copies of the Armes Dantan magazines before the days of computers! however I checked the web and noted that they now have an excellent webpage with French and English details at http://www.armesdantan.com ...They have a lot of nice stuff and are in the same place in Village Suisse in Paris with their magnificent shop..
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi

[Matchlock]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams Matchlock ~ I was looking at some old copies of the Armes Dantan magazines before the days of computers! however I checked the web and noted that they now have an excellent webpage with French and English details at http://www.armesdantan.com ...They have a lot of nice stuff and are in the same place in Village Suisse in Paris with their magnificent shop..
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams, Ibrahiim,

Thank you for this hint.
I am afraid though you have not been to their site for quite a few years because it has remained virtually unchanged for a very long time and their images are still very small.

Best,
Michael

[Matchlock]

An Austrian musketeer's flask, ca. 1580, the body covered with thin leather, the photo showing the reverse with the belt hook.
One of the framing iron reinforcement parts can be seen sticking out loosely.
The top cap is missing from the nozzle.
Height 21.5 cm.

m