MUSKET SHOT BOTTLE WITH MEASURE, 1700's

A measure for the correct amount of shot to load a weapon, achieved by a simple valve that when pressed blocked one end of a tube whilst opening the other releasing the stored shot between the two flaps.
The leather pouch is very well preserved.

Your comments:

• This item is a shot flask, not a powder flask, and is likely from the type and condition to be last half of 19th century. Gunpowder flasks were usually horn or later metal, and had neck measures which did not leak powder - a real bummer if you happened to have a lit pipe or fag in your hand, and may be the origin of the word 'handgonne'! Nah! only joking! If you look at the measuring arrangement, there are gaps which would leak powder, whereas lead shot for a muzzle loading shotgun would only come out via the spout. These would usually take shot sizes from about no.5 to no.8. Leather was seldom if ever used for powder - too susceptible to damp, tricky if the damn natives were restless don'cher know!
  Great site - having a naughty browse at work and enjoying it!
  .......... Ian Walden, LINCOLN ENGLAND, 17th of August 2011
  
  

A0557