CALIVERMAN's Powder Flasks and Their Leather Frogs, Nuremberg, ca. 1580-1620

Matchlock · 15th February 2009, 06:46 PM

Two fine Saxon samples for guardsmen of the Trabanten-Leibgarde of the Saxon Elector Christian I, 1580's.

Michael

Matchlock · 15th February 2009, 07:10 PM

This one is unusual for having a velvet covered wooden body and retaining its original tinning on the iron mounts. Most Nuremberg flasks were quite plain.

Michael

Matchlock · 15th February 2009, 07:27 PM

Of Nuremberg make, ca. 1600, the body carved, the fire gilt cast bronze mounts highly figured and engraved with the characteristic Nuremberg style of foliage.

This is also unusual for having a ball reservoir on the underside which was released by turning the cross cut screw. The frog hook is missing from the obverse.

Height 20.5 cm.

It fetched 6,000 euro at a German auction last year, its estimate was a humble 100 euro - imagine! Of course it is worth double the sum it went for ...

Michael

Matchlock · 24th February 2009, 08:01 PM

Another fine Saxon leather frog with a wooden compartment drilled for four paper cartridges, together with a finely carved Suhl Schützenflasche (caliverman's flask), the frog hook missing from the reverse, and a wheel-lock spanner, all ca. 1580.

Michael

Matchlock · 24th February 2009, 08:05 PM

An unusual leather frog for a caliverman's flask, ca. 1580, in the Princes Odescalchi Colln., near Rome.

Jim McDougall · 25th February 2009, 01:50 PM

Hi Michael,
As always, magnificent items, and it is incredible to see all the work and creativity that went into things that would otherwise been considered simple utilitarian implements to accompany the firearms of the times.

I always think it is interesting to see the artwork applied to material culture and how it compares to the actual art of the periods associated. While the markings and inscriptions on the weapons themselves often carry varying degrees of symbolism beyond the commercial and perhaps even mundane bureaucratic purposes of the time, it is interesting to consider what type of symbolism might have been imbued in the applied art on these items, or if any other than simple aesthetics.

I suppose one example of such applied art used on weapons of these times
would be the 'Holstein' daggers and use of his "Dance of Death" artwork.

In looking at these powder flasks, I was somehow drawn to the screws and began to think about how amazing it was that these simple pieces of hardware have remained virtually unchanged through so many centuries of advances in technology. I cant help but wonder more on how long this simple element has existed as used on weaponry. Simplistic I know, but always just curious.

Thank you for these great photos!!!

All the best,
Jim

All the

Matchlock · 25th February 2009, 05:24 PM

The larger frog of yellowish color, Nuremberg, ca. 1580, the plicated pouch retaining a beech wood compartment drilled for four paper cartridges two of which are still present, the lead balls now oxidized to a greyish white, as well as some tow and a portion of matchcord, each preserved in its separate leather compartment; together with a caliverman's flask, Nuremberg, ca. 1580, and of unusually good quality, the wooden body retaining much of its original red paint and fitted with well wrought iron mounts, the bottom mount containing a very rare additional ball reservoir with a spring loaded lid and one ball still present, now oxidized to a greyish white.

The smaller frog of grey suede, Nuremberg, ca. 1600, the pouch probably meant for reserve balls, the reverse with an old inventory number in red ink; together with a plain caliverman's flask, Nuremberg, early 17th century, the blackened body of fir wood with plain and thin iron mounts.

Displayed together with two musketeers' bandoliers, ca. 1600, and a bundle of original matchcord, all from my collection; more on these rare accouterments to follow soon.

400 year old fragile leather and textile items range among the greatest rarissimae.

Michael

15th February 2009, 06:46 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Two fine Saxon samples for guardsmen of the Trabanten-Leibgarde of the Saxon Elector Christian I, 1580's. Michael Attached Images

15th February 2009, 07:10 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	An unusually fine Nuremberg Caliver Man's (Schützen-) Flask, ca. 1580-1600 This one is unusual for having a velvet covered wooden body and retaining its original tinning on the iron mounts. Most Nuremberg flasks were quite plain. Michael Attached Images

15th February 2009, 07:27 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	The finest Schützenflasche (Caliver Man's Flask) That I Have Ever Seen Of Nuremberg make, ca. 1600, the body carved, the fire gilt cast bronze mounts highly figured and engraved with the characteristic Nuremberg style of foliage. This is also unusual for having a ball reservoir on the underside which was released by turning the cross cut screw. The frog hook is missing from the obverse. Height 20.5 cm. It fetched 6,000 euro at a German auction last year, its estimate was a humble 100 euro - imagine! Of course it is worth double the sum it went for ... Michael Attached Images

24th February 2009, 08:01 PM	#4
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Another fine Saxon leather frog with a wooden compartment drilled for four paper cartridges, together with a finely carved Suhl Schützenflasche (caliverman's flask), the frog hook missing from the reverse, and a wheel-lock spanner, all ca. 1580. Michael Attached Images

24th February 2009, 08:05 PM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	An unusual leather frog for a caliverman's flask, ca. 1580, in the Princes Odescalchi Colln., near Rome. Attached Images

25th February 2009, 01:50 PM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	Hi Michael, As always, magnificent items, and it is incredible to see all the work and creativity that went into things that would otherwise been considered simple utilitarian implements to accompany the firearms of the times. I always think it is interesting to see the artwork applied to material culture and how it compares to the actual art of the periods associated. While the markings and inscriptions on the weapons themselves often carry varying degrees of symbolism beyond the commercial and perhaps even mundane bureaucratic purposes of the time, it is interesting to consider what type of symbolism might have been imbued in the applied art on these items, or if any other than simple aesthetics. I suppose one example of such applied art used on weapons of these times would be the 'Holstein' daggers and use of his "Dance of Death" artwork. In looking at these powder flasks, I was somehow drawn to the screws and began to think about how amazing it was that these simple pieces of hardware have remained virtually unchanged through so many centuries of advances in technology. I cant help but wonder more on how long this simple element has existed as used on weaponry. Simplistic I know, but always just curious. Thank you for these great photos!!! All the best, Jim All the

25th February 2009, 05:24 PM	#7
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Caliverman's Flasks and Their Leather Frogs in my Collection The larger frog of yellowish color, Nuremberg, ca. 1580, the plicated pouch retaining a beech wood compartment drilled for four paper cartridges two of which are still present, the lead balls now oxidized to a greyish white, as well as some tow and a portion of matchcord, each preserved in its separate leather compartment; together with a caliverman's flask, Nuremberg, ca. 1580, and of unusually good quality, the wooden body retaining much of its original red paint and fitted with well wrought iron mounts, the bottom mount containing a very rare additional ball reservoir with a spring loaded lid and one ball still present, now oxidized to a greyish white. The smaller frog of grey suede, Nuremberg, ca. 1600, the pouch probably meant for reserve balls, the reverse with an old inventory number in red ink; together with a plain caliverman's flask, Nuremberg, early 17th century, the blackened body of fir wood with plain and thin iron mounts. Displayed together with two musketeers' bandoliers, ca. 1600, and a bundle of original matchcord, all from my collection; more on these rare accouterments to follow soon. 400 year old fragile leather and textile items range among the greatest rarissimae. Michael Attached Images