Early round wooden powder flask

Pukka Bundook · 1st May 2018, 02:41 PM

Adrian,

This flask in one of Michael's threads (below) has the same small pouch arrangement, but is slightly later.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...t=Bullet+pouch

However, in the engraving of the wall display, we see three depictions of flask with pouches Very similar to yours!

I thought these were for balls, but Michael thought them too flimsy, and more likely for wadding or cleaning material, (tow I suppose) and for small tools, worms and scrapers etc.
I still wonder, but sadly we can't ask Michael!

Wonderful acquisiton though, and sincere Congratulations!!

Richard.

adrian · 1st May 2018, 09:49 PM

Can you please give us the dimensions? also, I presume a measure was used to gauge the correct amount of powder, and that the flask has the spring-loaded cap only.
We do not often see items of this age. thank you for showing it!

Hi Richard, thank you for your input & comments. The body is 130mm diameter & the spout is 57mm long.
It has a spring loaded cap & also it has a spring loaded shut off below the base of the spout. In reading Riling's "Powder Flask" book he describes this arrangement & attributes flasks with this double shut off system as being, logically, transitional between early flasks with a spout cap (one step up from a removable spout plug) & flasks with a shut off, a system so successful it is still used today. Both functions on my example have completely seized up, though I am sure that this could be remedied with a penetrating lubricant & TLC.

Michael showed quite a few examples of trapezoid flasks with this double system.

It is undeniable that the spring loaded cap is unnecessary when there is a base shut off - & it would have been an added expense. I speculate that it survived in use as a safety cap, to prevent a spark falling into the open & vertical spout, & as a measure of wet weather protection. Once powder horns, which hang horizontally, superseded powder flasks that hang vertically, any need for a safety/weather cap was greatly diminished.

Pukka Bundook · 2nd May 2018, 04:39 AM

Thanks for the measurements, Adrian.

I see the cut -off now. A well thought out arrangement for earlier times.
As you say, more fire and rain proof.

I am very pleased you had the ability to visit with Michael!
He wanted me to go over, but the farm keeps me trotting.
I do know that if I had ever got there, it would have been very hard to leave, after seeing his great treasures.

One more question if I may;
The wooden body to the flask, where is it divided?
By this I mean is it made in two halves and glued /pinned together?

Thank you again for showing it. A fantastic piece!

Richard.

adrian · 2nd May 2018, 10:02 AM

I am very pleased you had the ability to visit with Michael!
The wooden body to the flask, where is it divided?
By this I mean is it made in two halves and glued /pinned together?

Hi Richard, unfortunately I have not visited Michael either, I have only his posts on this forum to guide me. The photo of his flask is from one of his many threads.

I have closely looked at the flask to try to find a seam, I cannot see one. Either it has been well done & lacquered over to be invisible, somewhere on the wide edge, or it has been hollowed out from one side & the "patch" then covered by the leather pouch. I have seen flasks, of not so refined construction, made from a wood burl in this way, so that is possible.

Pukka Bundook · 2nd May 2018, 01:54 PM

Thank you for the reply, answers, and clarification, Adrian.

I would like to make one like this to go with my snap-lock sometime.

Thank you again,
Richard.

Marcus den toom · 25th June 2018, 05:42 PM

I found this per chance and remembered the thread, no more information is known to me.

1st May 2018, 02:41 PM	#1
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Adrian, This flask in one of Michael's threads (below) has the same small pouch arrangement, but is slightly later. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...t=Bullet+pouch However, in the engraving of the wall display, we see three depictions of flask with pouches Very similar to yours! I thought these were for balls, but Michael thought them too flimsy, and more likely for wadding or cleaning material, (tow I suppose) and for small tools, worms and scrapers etc. I still wonder, but sadly we can't ask Michael! Wonderful acquisiton though, and sincere Congratulations!! Richard. Last edited by Pukka Bundook; 1st May 2018 at 03:04 PM.

25th June 2018, 05:42 PM	#6
Marcus den toom Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Netherlands Posts: 534	I found this per chance and remembered the thread, no more information is known to me. Attached Images

1st May 2018, 09:49 PM	#2
adrian Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 130	Can you please give us the dimensions? also, I presume a measure was used to gauge the correct amount of powder, and that the flask has the spring-loaded cap only. We do not often see items of this age. thank you for showing it! Hi Richard, thank you for your input & comments. The body is 130mm diameter & the spout is 57mm long. It has a spring loaded cap & also it has a spring loaded shut off below the base of the spout. In reading Riling's "Powder Flask" book he describes this arrangement & attributes flasks with this double shut off system as being, logically, transitional between early flasks with a spout cap (one step up from a removable spout plug) & flasks with a shut off, a system so successful it is still used today. Both functions on my example have completely seized up, though I am sure that this could be remedied with a penetrating lubricant & TLC. Michael showed quite a few examples of trapezoid flasks with this double system. It is undeniable that the spring loaded cap is unnecessary when there is a base shut off - & it would have been an added expense. I speculate that it survived in use as a safety cap, to prevent a spark falling into the open & vertical spout, & as a measure of wet weather protection. Once powder horns, which hang horizontally, superseded powder flasks that hang vertically, any need for a safety/weather cap was greatly diminished.

2nd May 2018, 04:39 AM	#3
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Thanks for the measurements, Adrian. I see the cut -off now. A well thought out arrangement for earlier times. As you say, more fire and rain proof. I am very pleased you had the ability to visit with Michael! He wanted me to go over, but the farm keeps me trotting. I do know that if I had ever got there, it would have been very hard to leave, after seeing his great treasures. One more question if I may; The wooden body to the flask, where is it divided? By this I mean is it made in two halves and glued /pinned together? Thank you again for showing it. A fantastic piece! Richard.

2nd May 2018, 10:02 AM	#4
adrian Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 130	I am very pleased you had the ability to visit with Michael! The wooden body to the flask, where is it divided? By this I mean is it made in two halves and glued /pinned together? Hi Richard, unfortunately I have not visited Michael either, I have only his posts on this forum to guide me. The photo of his flask is from one of his many threads. I have closely looked at the flask to try to find a seam, I cannot see one. Either it has been well done & lacquered over to be invisible, somewhere on the wide edge, or it has been hollowed out from one side & the "patch" then covered by the leather pouch. I have seen flasks, of not so refined construction, made from a wood burl in this way, so that is possible.

2nd May 2018, 01:54 PM	#5
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Thank you for the reply, answers, and clarification, Adrian. I would like to make one like this to go with my snap-lock sometime. Thank you again, Richard.