{"product_id":"original-u-s-civil-war-fluted-powder-flask-by-frary-benham-co","title":"Original U.S. Civil War Fluted Powder Flask by Frary, Benham \u0026 Co.","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a particularly attractive original mid-19th-century powder flask manufactured by the short-lived American firm of \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eFrary, Benham \u0026amp; Co\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e. The flask features a vertically fluted metal body, adjustable brass charger, four surviving suspension rings, and a still-functional dispensing mechanism. Measuring approximately 8½ inches overall, it is a substantial full-size gun flask dating immediately before the American Civil War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe brass spout is adjustable for \u003cb\u003e2, 2 1\/4, 2 1\/2\u003c\/b\u003e, and \u003cb\u003e2 3\/4 DRAMS\u003c\/b\u003e and marked \"\u003cb\u003eFRARY BENHAM \u0026amp; CO\u003c\/b\u003e\" on the end fitting shutter itself. The overall length is approximately 8 1\/2 inches. There is some very minor seam splitting but nothing completely broken through. Riling's \u003ci\u003ePOWDER FLASK BOOK\u003c\/i\u003e records the firm as having operated in the mid 1850s for only two years before being replaced by the American Powder Flask Company. Both companies operated out of the same shop in New Haven, Connecticut. There is some heavy wear and denting to the spout.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrary, Benham \u0026amp; Co. was a comparatively short-lived Connecticut manufacturer of powder flasks, shot pouches, game bags, and other sporting equipment. A nineteenth-century biographical history of James D. Frary records that he became a member of the firm on January 1, 1855. In the spring of 1857, he sold his interest to a new concern known as the American Flask \u0026amp; Cap Company and moved to Waterbury, Connecticut. This gives the best-documented period for Frary's involvement in the flask-manufacturing partnership as approximately 1855–1857.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe approximately 8½-inch dimensions, full-size graduated charger, four suspension rings, fluted body, and clearly marked FRARY BENHAM \u0026amp; CO shutter make this a particularly strong example of an American sporting powder flask from the years immediately preceding the Civil War. Its short-lived manufacturer adds considerably to its collector interest, while the functional charger and well-preserved body provide unusually complete evidence of how these flasks were originally carried and used.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45678517190725,"sku":"ONJR25JAPF053","price":295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/9E1027B6-ACB9-453B-AEC8-48E51293AC94.jpg?v=1788376607","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-civil-war-fluted-powder-flask-by-frary-benham-co","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}