Picked up a most curious original powder flask. It's made from a, err, camel part!?!?

[LawrenceA]

Thought this may be of interest to some of you.
Picked up this flask which is made from a camel's scrotum.
I think it is missing the plug. You can see in the leather strap where something bore on it.
It has flower designs punched into it. Post mortem I expect
Shame its not big enough to fit them lead spheres inside.
I have been invited camel hunting. I should use it, or is that just weird?

 

[firestick]

I don't know man. He may recognize that was from gramps and put up a fight.

 

[firestick]

Cool item though!!!

 

[LawrenceA]

Didn't need it. But I couldn't resist for the price and being just odd.
Can't see myself making one.
Thinking about it, the thing probably came back as a souvenir from 1 of the 2 big wars. or before. Be interesting to know.
I am told the Arab never threw away a weapon so they would carry a powder horn with there M98.
Used to know a man who ran guns into the middle East during the 30's and he told me that he got invited on a raid.
He said it was the strangest thing.
Both parties lined up and emptied there guns then drew swords and ran in!!!
He only went raiding once.

 

[Justin.44]

Shame its not big enough to fit them lead spheres inside.

Yes it certainly would be fitting to use it as a ball bag

 

[LawrenceA]

Yes it certainly would be fitting to use it as a ball bag

Couldn't bring myself to say it

 

[Crow-Feather]

Thought this may be of interest to some of you.
Picked up this flask which is made from a camel's scrotum.
I think it is missing the plug. You can see in the leather strap where something bore on it.
It has flower designs punched into it. Post mortem I expect
Shame its not big enough to fit them lead spheres inside.
I have been invited camel hunting. I should use it, or is that just weird?

View attachment 52788View attachment 52789

A bit smaller than most scrotum bags I have seen. Must be for a smaller caliber. But as they
say, it's not the size ............

 

[Grenadier1758]

Could it have been used for shot?

 

[TGJaeger]

That is too cool! I don’t know about taking it camel hunting...that thing about Karma being a b***h and all that. I wouldn’t take the chance...just sayin’!!

 

[George]

Description of a similar use of the scrotum of the buffalo by Hidatsa Indians, mid-19th century:

Buffalo Bird Woman's Garden: As Recounted by Maxi'diwiac (Buffalo Bird Woman) (ca.1839-1932) of the Hidatsa Indian Tribe. Originally published as Agriculture of the Hidatsa Indians: An Indian Interpretation. Edited by Gilbert Livingstone Wilson, 1868-1930. Minneapolis: The University of Minnesota (Studies in the Social Sciences, #9), 1917. Ph. D. Thesis.

"The Scrotum Basket

"I have said that we used a basket made of the scrotum of a buffalo bull, for picking tobacco blossoms.

"A fresh scrotum was taken, and a rim or hoop of choke-cherry wood was bound around its mouth; choke-cherry limbs are flexible and easily bent. The hoop was sewed in place with sinew passing through the skin and around the hoop spirally.

"A thong was bound at either end to opposite sides of the hoop, and the whole was hung upon the drying stage, or at the entrance to the earth lodge in the sun. The skin was then filled with sand until dry, when it was emptied, the thong removed, and a band, or leather handle, was bound on one side of the hoop, at places a few inches apart, and the basket was ready for use.

"The scrotum is the toughest part of the buffalo's hide. When dried it is as hard and rigid as wood."

Spence

 

[Mark Herman]

Hadn't seem a camel scrotum but had a possible bag made fro a buffalo scrotum.

 

[user 48679]

I didn't know that camel's got neutered……..

 

[SDSmlf]

‘Tis the season. Here is one a bull offered up for that hard to find a gift for person on your list

 

[LawrenceA]

Could it have been used for shot?

Who knows

 

[bud in pa]

I don't think that it would make a good bag for balls as it was originally designed to only hold two.

 

[LawrenceA]

‘Tis the season. Here is one a bull offered up for that hard to find a gift for person on your list View attachment 52834

Just what you need for your everlasting gobstoppers!

 

[SDSmlf]

Just what you need for your everlasting gobstoppers!

Doubt the original ‘owner’ is thrilled with how things worked out.

 

[FlyingMountainBoomer]

*Looks down* I think mine only holds #7 shot....

 

[Crown_Pointer]

"When I say Whoa...."

 

[toot]

Description of a similar use of the scrotum of the buffalo by Hidatsa Indians, mid-19th century:

Buffalo Bird Woman's Garden: As Recounted by Maxi'diwiac (Buffalo Bird Woman) (ca.1839-1932) of the Hidatsa Indian Tribe. Originally published as Agriculture of the Hidatsa Indians: An Indian Interpretation. Edited by Gilbert Livingstone Wilson, 1868-1930. Minneapolis: The University of Minnesota (Studies in the Social Sciences, #9), 1917. Ph. D. Thesis.

"The Scrotum Basket

"I have said that we used a basket made of the scrotum of a buffalo bull, for picking tobacco blossoms.

"A fresh scrotum was taken, and a rim or hoop of choke-cherry wood was bound around its mouth; choke-cherry limbs are flexible and easily bent. The hoop was sewed in place with sinew passing through the skin and around the hoop spirally.

"A thong was bound at either end to opposite sides of the hoop, and the whole was hung upon the drying stage, or at the entrance to the earth lodge in the sun. The skin was then filled with sand until dry, when it was emptied, the thong removed, and a band, or leather handle, was bound on one side of the hoop, at places a few inches apart, and the basket was ready for use.

"The scrotum is the toughest part of the buffalo's hide. When dried it is as hard and rigid as wood."
View attachment 52816

Spence

tough because it chafes' between his hind legs all of his life! how ever long that maybe??