Item: ONSV22WKC261
Original U.S. Civil War Shot and Powder Flask Lot by AM Flask & Cap Co With Horns - 8 Items
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Original Items: Only One Lot of 8 Available. A muzzleloader is any firearm into which the projectile and the propellant charge is loaded from the muzzle of the gun (i.e., from the forward, open end of the gun's barrel). This is distinct from the modern (higher tech and harder to make) designs of breech-loading firearms. The term "muzzleloader" applies to both rifled and smoothbore type muzzleloaders, and may also refer to the marksman who specializes in the shooting of such firearms. The firing methods, paraphernalia and mechanism further divide both categories as do caliber (from cannons to small-caliber palm guns).
Powder Horns: A powder horn was a container for gunpowder, and was generally created from cow, ox or buffalo horn. The term may also be used for any personal container for gunpowder, the shape has to be long and curved for which powder flask is the strictly correct term.
Typically there was a stopper at both ends, in later examples spring-loaded to close automatically for safety. The wide mouth was used for refilling, while the powder was dispensed from the narrow point. In some cases the point was closed and the mouth used for both, with a powder measure, a type of scoop used to dispense the powder, and in others both ends were open and the horn merely used as a funnel. The horn was typically held by a long strap and slung over the shoulder.
The inside and outside of a powder horn were often polished to make the horn translucent so that the soldier would be able to see how much powder he had left. The use of animal horn along with nonferrous metal parts ensured that the powder would not be detonated by sparks during storage and loading. Horn was also naturally waterproof and already hollow inside.
There are 3 powder horns in this lot and all appear to be undamaged. One of the horns appears to never have been finished, but does show signs of use. Only 1 of the horns has a design and it appears to be a small squirrel sitting on a stump.
Powder Flasks: A powder flask is a small container for gunpowder, which was an essential part of shooting equipment with muzzle-loading guns, before pre-made paper cartridges became standard in the 19th century. They range from very elaborately decorated works of art to early forms of consumer packaging, and are widely collected. Many were standardized military issue, but the most decorative were generally used for sporting shooting.
There are 5 flasks in this grouping, 2 of which are maker marked with Civil War manufacturer AM Flask & Cap Co, for the American Flask and Cap Company who was in business from 1857-1865 in New York.
By the 1860s, flask making was an increasingly industrialized process. Factories like the one owned by the American Flask & Cap Co. mass produced thousands of powder flasks for hunters and the military. A larger supply of flasks meant that makers gave more and more stores permission to sell their products. Store owners were provided with catalogs that they and their customers could use to pick out which flasks they wanted to order. These catalogs included information on flask size, design, and price. Consumers were also able to buy flasks made from a variety of materials.
The flasks still have a functional stopper as well as a functioning charger head. The brass English Style Shot Flask charger head has a quick cut-off gate, operated by a side lever, which is marked to throw 1-1/2 and 1-1/4 volume of shot. The brass charger head is easily unscrewed from the brass neck and even still has lead shot inside!
We received this collection recently and to make the discovery of two Civil War shot flasks was incredible!
Comes more than ready for research and display!
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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