Colt’s Patent, powder flask?

[Secesh]

I didn’t know where exactly to post this. If this is the wrong forum, just let me know.

I was going through my accumulation of stuff of my great grandfathers’ items and pulled out this little Colt flask. I’m pretty sure it is original but I’m unsure which model Colt revolver it belongs to. 1848 or 49? Sadly, I do not have the spout or spring that goes with the flask.

Can any of y’all tell me which model revolver it was paired with?

 

[user 52391]

Looks like a Colt Pocket Model flask to me, for the 49 Baby Dragoon.

 

[Gee Dog]

Ten grain spouts are available. VTI has a spring for that.

 

[Secesh]

I have tried different modern reproduction spouts but they are not the same diameter.

 

[hawkeye2]

Today's spouts all have metric threads. That flask will have US threads but possibly not today's standard. I believe it's original, most repros have the top attached to the body by 3 small screws.

 

[Secesh]

Today's spouts all have metric threads. That flask will have US threads but possibly not today's standard. I believe it's original, most repros have the top attached to the body by 3 small screws.

That’s what I was thinking. No screws attaching the top to the body of the flask.

 

[user 52391]

The originals tops were soldered on, that one looks totally restorable by either making new parts or finding another original flask that's badly damaged for parts.

 

[smoothshooter]

I didn’t know where exactly to post this. If this is the wrong forum, just let me know.

I was going through my accumulation of stuff of my great grandfathers’ items and pulled out this little Colt flask. I’m pretty sure it is original but I’m unsure which model Colt revolver it belongs to. 1848 or 49? Sadly, I do not have the spout or spring that goes with the flask.

Can any of y’all tell me which model revolver it was paired with?

In actuality it could have been used for anything, or multiple guns over the years.
In the old days you did not usually have the variety of things to choose from.
If you badly needed a flask for your .44 Army or .36 Navy, and all the shop or one of your buddies had and would sell was one intended for a .31 caliber, or a .36 Pocket Navy, guess what you are going to buy?
I even use one of the small flasks to prime my flintlock long guns with. Functionally, the best thing I have ever used for that purpose.
And I am sure I am not the first to use a flask to prime with.

 

[Secesh]

The originals tops were soldered on, that one looks totally restorable by either making new parts or finding another original flask that's badly damaged for parts.

I’ve been looking around on the web to try and find spout, spring and screws to do just that but no luck so far.

 

[Whitworth]

Did your Grandfather metal detect by any chance? The iron parts corrosion looks like those that were dug. Nice flask, that style with "Colts Patent" I haven't seen before. If's it Colt, it's gold.

 

[Secesh]

Did your Grandfather metal detect by any chance? The iron parts corrosion looks like those that were dug. Nice flask, that style with "Colts Patent" I haven't seen before. If's it Colt, it's gold.

No, he wouldn’t have metal detected, as that was a little far ahead of his time. He was a blacksmith/gunsmith operating between about 1880 to 1930. I was lucky to inherit a few of his things many years after his death in 1952. I never had the honor and pleasure to meet the man but truly wish I had. I have a photo of his shop, packed up in my accumulation of things, I’ll post once I locate it.

 

[BillKilgore]

Very cool. I hope you can make it functional again.

 

[Robby]

That is very cool Farmer, I hope you get it back in working order too.
Robby

 

[Mark Herman]

Bullseye,
Tops were soldered on???? Never heard of such a thing and NONE of mine are, all are fastened with screws.

 

[Whitworth]

Fellas, take note the depth and crispness of the beautiful detail in that stamping work. The die sinkers art around this time was at it's zenith. The beauty and fine detail in pre Civil war accoutrement plates and buttons is unsurpassed. I hope you get that beauty in service, even if not it's still great a family heirloom and nice piece. The blank for half of that flask was pressed into the die with a lead block, the lead squishing and forcing the brass or copper into every minute detail. BTW reproduction flask's die work sure pales in comparison.

 

[desi23]

The originals tops were soldered on, that one looks totally restorable by either making new parts or finding another original flask that's badly damaged for parts.

I would agree that looks repairable....... Not all tops were soldered on originals though. Some in my collection are pinned, a couple use screws (different from modern ones, they have small rounded heads) and a couple are two piece with a soldered base ring and the rest of the head unscrewing from the base. Some have the spouts soldered into the flask head, others screw in but are a different thread than modern production ones. There made quite a variety of styles in the old days.

 

[hawkeye2]

Whitworth, good point; the die stamping on the originals is far crisper and with much better detail than any of the reproductions and that helps identify the originals.