Powder Flask
Cultureprobably
German
Dateabout 1600–1625
Mediumiron and wood
Dimensions26 × 12 × 4 cm (10 1/4 × 4 3/4 × 1 9/16 in.), 10 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.383
DescriptionWood stained black, with iron furniture. Flat body shaped as curved truncated triangle. Edges reinforced with nailed-on iron strips portions of which are lost. At the top is an iron cap with a long tapering tubular nozzle. This is without a cap, but has a spring-operated close-off at the base to serve as a powder measure. The curved wooden sides have the remains of 4 iron suspension rings. On the front face of the nozzle base is a flexible open ring which may have held a cord for a stopper or nozzle-cap now lost. The nozzle shows signs of brazing, perhaps to plug holes (a small hole can still be seen).On the rear face are the remains of a long, lever like spring clip for securing the flask to a belt or bandolier. Centered on the front face of the flask is nailed a thin iron square sheet, notched at the center of each edge.
Rectangular iron cap with suspension ring & belt hook at top. Spring-loaded crude conical nozzle. Curved sides have remants of four iron suspension rings. Centered on front face is nailed a thin iron sheet notched to form crude quatrefoil.
Label TextThis powder flask from the armory of Hohenwerfen fortress near Salzburg, Austria, is of the form commonly used by European musketeers during the first half of the 1600s. Musketeers generally relied on pre-measured charges carried form a bandolier worn across the chest, but when these were exhausted, gunpowder was poured directly into the gun-muzzle from a large flask worn at the right hip.ProvenanceArchduke Eugen's Armory, Fortress Hohenwerfen, Salzburg, Austria purchased by John W. Higgins on March 1, 1927 from Anderson Galleries (NY); their no. 229. Given to the Museum on July 1, 1954. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.
On View
Not on viewCollections
about 1600–1650
