Len kindly suggested I should show some of my powder flasks. I felt I had to oblige, so here they are.
Just a few words before we start. Alle these flasks were made in the 19th century, in France or England. Some were in good shape when I bought them. Some had to be worked upon to deserve displaying, but nothing more than closing a gap in the seam, putting on a new spring, or drowning the spout in lubricant.
This is my first one. I bought it back in 2013. It bears a maker's mark in the shape of a bee.
This stands for L'abeille, a french maker who made powder flasks between 1832 and 1899.
Then came that one :
It does not bear any identification mark anywhere. The adjustable spout is graduated from 65 to 80.
Next was this one :
Once again a french flask. This one is signed "B A PARIS" (Boche à Paris"). Adjustable spout graduated from 50 to 65.
That one followed soon after :
An english one, this time, attested by the maker's mark on the collar : "James Dixon and son Sheffield".
Once again, an adjustable spout, with graduations ranging from 2 1/4 to 3 drams.
I have no information whatsoever about that next one :
Once more, an adjustable spout, ranging from 65 to 80.
No information about that one either :
All I can say is it is made of a zinc alloy, and has a three position spout ranging from 25 to 35.
The next one has quite a different look :
It is also an english one, bearing the Dixon & Sons mark.
Its 3 position adjustable spout does not bear any indication of volume or unit.
This one is also made of a zinc alloy, and bears a depiction I rather like of a drinking man trying to get his wine directly from the grapes.
No maker's mark, and an adjustable spout, from 50 to 65.
Another french one, "système Boche" :
The adjustable spout is a special kind, patented in Paris by Mr Boche :
It bears a see-through window on both sides, allowing to check the amount of powder inside.
Yet another english one :
It bears a Dixon & Son mark, which makes it easier to date : between 1824 and 1835. Before 1824 James Dixon was running his business on his own, and after 1835, his second son joined father and elder brother.
The adjustable spout is a different kind. I never saw that kind before, and it is still the only one I know of :
And here is the last one :
No maker's mark, and a 4 position adjustable spout which won't adjust, and only bears a number 4 on the top position.
Thanks for your attention.
If anyone would be able to tell me what are the units used on the spouts, I would be very grateful.
