Musketeer Powder Horn??

[Powder Flask Collector]

According to the article "Tout connaître sur les poires à poudre", by Jacques Dubarry de Lassale in Le magazine des enchères Sept. 2, 2021 (https://magazine.interencheres.com/art-mobilier/tout-connaitre-sur-les-poires-a-poudre/ a large part of the large European powder flasks and horns, which are said to date from the 17th and 18th centuries, most certainly have been remade in the old style and manufactured at the end of the 19th century or the beginning of the 20th century. The author refers to publications by Robert Marquiset and Jean-Pierre Yven.
I know that in the period around 1900 it was fashionable among the wealthy bourgeoisie to decorate the wall of the gentlemen's room or the smoking salon with old weapons. Even then, "Replikas" of old cutting and stabbing weapons and musketeer rifles were made for decorative purposes.

Now last weekend I bought a horn powder flask, or rather the remnant of it.






The powder flask was probably repaired a long time ago. A fracture in the horn at the base was fixed with a countersunk wood screw and apparently a new base plug was made of european walnut.



The flask head (iron) also seems to have been repaired and a new spout has been attached. At least you can still see the traces of the original mechanism.





Furthermore, the iron belt hook seems to be missing




What is your opinion about this horn?

Might it be from the 17th century or is it a remake?

 

[Powder Flask Collector]

The head of the flask might have been like this one shown in the book of Marquiset "Poires a Poudre" page 35.

 

[springfield art]

Interesting! And, a hundred years from now, Civil War cartridge boxes that were used during the 1960's-on will be thought to be "real" Civil War items. There's ads for guys wanting to buy used re-enactment equipment; you can bet some of it is being sold as actual 1860's Civil War relics.

 

[Powder Flask Collector]

The distinction between original antique, antique replica from the time of historicism, new replica is always a problem for me. In behalf of the usual replicas from the 1960s and later, it is relatively easy to recognize the italian replica flasks.
But Dixon and Sons' moulds were sold to India when this metalware manufactury factory in Sheffield closed in the 1970s. The 2nd generation Colt flasks were apparently the last powder flasks that were still produced by this manufacturer in England with the old molds.

 

[Sam squanch]

I think your horn is an original. I would think a replica for a wealthy person to hang up would be more fancy and complete. The original spout closer must have broken and been removed. That thing must have been carried for many a mile over its life…..

 

[Powder Flask Collector]

I think you are right. The horn is probably old. Made before 1800. Some old repaires.

 

[Powder Flask Collector]

I think you are right. The horn is probably old. Made before 1800. Some old repaires.

I just saw an makers or owners mark on one side of the flask

 

[Flintlock1640]

It's original and probably 17th-century. Interesting repairs.

 

[PathfinderNC]

I would think an old musket flask would have had a larger spout?

 

[Powder Flask Collector]

I would think an old musket flask would have had a larger spout?

The old spout had certainly been removed.