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Old powder flask

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Joined
Sep 24, 2021
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Location
Eastern PA
Old flask belonged to an Uncle and old repair work probably done by him. Any guesses as to age or origin? He lived in Michigan and Indiana if that helps. If treasure, I’ll keep it as is. If trash, I’ll try my hand at restoring it to being functional.
 

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I'm not an expert on this, or much of anything else, really, but here goes.

The value of antique powder flasks seems chiefly dependent on condition and rarity. There are a lot of old flasks out there, and of the ones I have seen, the leather-covered ones seem relatively less common. However, the flask you have there is in pretty sad shape. I don't think you would risk much by carefully attempting to repair it, and the experience will undoubtedly teach you something useful. If it were mine, I would try carefully disassembling it and cleaning up the individual metal parts.

The leather cover might be a problem. It looks to me as if it has shrunk, and I doubt there is any way to make it "grow" back to its original size, or to patch it neatly. The decision, I think, would be whether to leave it as-is, remove it altogether, or replace it with new leather of a similar type. Some sort of light-weight veg tan would be least likely to react with the metal.

I don't know the best way to deal with that hole in the side of the flask. There are some very talented metal fabricators here on this forum, and I hope some of them will offer some guidance.

Thanks for showing your flask!

Notchy Bob
 
Notchy Bob,
Thanks for your reply. Unless someone else says that this flask belongs in a museum… I’ll do what I was planning to do - carefull restore it to functionality and enjoy using something that had been used by my favorite uncle. Comfortable with the metal work, but not so much with leather. Have to give that some thought.
Bob T
 
The leather covered over plannished tin where up market flasks , Can you read any makers stamps , But in condition terms or historic appeal it is rather 'down' however there are skilled people in leather who could likley restore that & if the metal is sound other wise it could make a nice flask ,If all that remained was the top its still a desirable item.
Rudyard .
 
The UK makers of powder flasks were Dixon , Hawksley, and Frith, The first two were more for the percussion and early breech loading era and Frith is more associated to the flintlock Those that covered like your were mostly covered in Moroccan leather or split cow skin I also have some covered in shark skin
Feltwad
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Here's a pair I have. Don't remember where they came from or where I got em, Just got em.
One on the left has a union and a confederate flag, just on one side. The one on the right has a dog below a couple of
what looks like 2 turkeys. that picture is on both sides.

.
 

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Here's a pair I have. Don't remember where they came from or where I got em, Just got em.
One on the left has a union and a confederate flag just on one side. The one on the right has a dog below a couple of
what looks like 2 turkeys. that picture is on both sides. I wonder what they are worth?one
View attachment 106981
.
 
Here's a pair I have. Don't remember where they came from or where I got em, Just got em.
One on the left has a union and a confederate flag, just on one side. The one on the right has a dog below a couple of
what looks like 2 turkeys. that picture is on both sides.

.
Both repro Italian flask Pedersolio and other manufactures issued them for there Colt revolvers
Feltwad
 
I think many of the older flask were made using zinc bodies…

I have one with holes much like yours pictured…
 
The leather covered over plannished tin where up market flasks , Can you read any makers stamps , But in condition terms or historic appeal it is rather 'down' however there are skilled people in leather who could likley restore that & if the metal is sound other wise it could make a nice flask ,If all that remained was the top its still a desirable item.
Rudyard .
Finally got a chance to start on this. The top needs more cleaning but is fully operable. The flask itself has light corrosion inside & out, be should be repairable. One ring looks to be an eyescrew, the other a split ring over a brass cotter pin. What would be the correct replacement for all 4 positions?
Appreciate any suggestions.
 

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Your flask looks to be a common top single shutter Birmingham or perhaps American . The dents on one side will likley push out useing a 'Bumper bar' a spoons shape rounded inserted end & pressure its something you will have to make & needs be solid. Refer Ray Rilings' The Powder flask book ' .The rings Ide be inclined make matching but thread into a small nut like piece & epoxy inside. The leather obvisuosly thin Morroco type leather best find a clever leather worker .

I filled in the 'gicky 'Florenteen' design of a Italion brass replica flask body with layers of paint then coverered it with thin leather I sewed round it but I only had one loop on the bottom soldered on I used an India made dubble shutter flash proof too and by its hanging nozzle down it is less likley to admit rain or detris plus most unlikley to any spark could get in . Carried just below pap height its handy to carry & grasp . While I trust a good quality double shutter flash proof Ide not use a single cut off . At this point Ime sure others will rail on about useing any such flask in any form but historically they where used and are still made & used .( If folks are that worried around gun powder best take up tiddiliwinks ) once cleaned up Ide suggest varnish or paint before the coverring of leather as leather draws moisture , I sewed round mine then folded aside the edges & glued them they look fine . Anyway lots of luck
Regards Rudyard
 
Your flask looks to be a common top single shutter Birmingham or perhaps American . The dents on one side will likley push out useing a 'Bumper bar' a spoons shape rounded inserted end & pressure its something you will have to make & needs be solid. Refer Ray Rilings' The Powder flask book ' .The rings Ide be inclined make matching but thread into a small nut like piece & epoxy inside. The leather obvisuosly thin Morroco type leather best find a clever leather worker .

I filled in the 'gicky 'Florenteen' design of a Italion brass replica flask body with layers of paint then coverered it with thin leather I sewed round it but I only had one loop on the bottom soldered on I used an India made dubble shutter flash proof too and by its hanging nozzle down it is less likley to admit rain or detris plus most unlikley to any spark could get in . Carried just below pap height its handy to carry & grasp . While I trust a good quality double shutter flash proof Ide not use a single cut off . At this point Ime sure others will rail on about useing any such flask in any form but historically they where used and are still made & used .( If folks are that worried around gun powder best take up tiddiliwinks ) once cleaned up Ide suggest varnish or paint before the coverring of leather as leather draws moisture , I sewed round mine then folded aside the edges & glued them they look fine . Anyway lots of luck
Regards Rudyard
Thanks for the suggestions.
 
The current issue of MUZZLELOADER magazine (January/February 2022) has an article by T.C. Albert on covering a powder flask with leather. The instructions are pretty clear. Might be worth a look if you want to re-cover the old flask in leather.

Good luck with your project!

Notchy Bob
 
Your flask looks to be a common top single shutter Birmingham or perhaps American . The dents on one side will likley push out useing a 'Bumper bar' a spoons shape rounded inserted end & pressure its something you will have to make & needs be solid. Refer Ray Rilings' The Powder flask book ' .The rings Ide be inclined make matching but thread into a small nut like piece & epoxy inside. The leather obvisuosly thin Morroco type leather best find a clever leather worker .

I filled in the 'gicky 'Florenteen' design of a Italion brass replica flask body with layers of paint then coverered it with thin leather I sewed round it but I only had one loop on the bottom soldered on I used an India made dubble shutter flash proof too and by its hanging nozzle down it is less likley to admit rain or detris plus most unlikley to any spark could get in . Carried just below pap height its handy to carry & grasp . While I trust a good quality double shutter flash proof Ide not use a single cut off . At this point Ime sure others will rail on about useing any such flask in any form but historically they where used and are still made & used .( If folks are that worried around gun powder best take up tiddiliwinks ) once cleaned up Ide suggest varnish or paint before the coverring of leather as leather draws moisture , I sewed round mine then folded aside the edges & glued them they look fine . Anyway lots of luck
Regards Rudyard
RUDYARD, what in hell is TIDDILIWINKS? that is a new one for me? do you need two to play it?
 
Dear Toot tiddlywinks is a child;s game that has round plastic coin size pieces that flick other ones about quite how it scored or played I don't follow. But its a innocent amusement ,as to numbers involved No idea but at least two I expect . I trust that answers your question . Not heard of tiddlewinks ?you must have had a sheltered life .
Regards Rudyard
 

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