Flint wallets / originals

[phoenix511]

I'm looking for some images of original "flint wallets," designed to carry a few flints, maybe leather for jaws, screwdriver, vent pick ...

Most modern ones are tri-fold, about 3" x 5." They are very nice but I wonder what an original looked like: dimensions, closure method, stiching, and pockets.

A Google search does not bring up much, just some contemporary versions. I'd like to see an image from a museum or vintage collector.

And where were they carried: a haversack, hunting bag, or ...?

 

[omarick1948]

WW, I've heard that the jury is still out on the authenticity of the so-called Flint Wallet. I don't know if this is true or not and some suspect that it is just one of those items that someone in modern muzzleloading sports came up with!

Rick :idunno: :idunno: :idunno:

 

[MSW]

WW, i agree with Horner. Hate to be a 'downer,' but if you take a brief look at the photos of original bags, you can see that they were used hard and- re sewn and then just plain wore out.

If flint wallets existed, i think that it would be reasonable to conclude that they suffered the same fate and that few if any still exist. I suspect that we don't see any originals 'cause there weren't any, but i may well be wrong. (I'm wrong a lot- just ask my kids!)

make good smoke!

 

[paulvallandigham]

I don't think there is any way to know exactly when flint wallets came into use, much less how popular they were. I have heard( read) about them for the early fur trade in the Rockies, but I can't say that the authors had a clue what they were talking about. I have seen no original sources.

I also don't know if 18th century Longhunters, like Boone, Girty, and Crockett carried such flintwallets on their treks. It seems Like a simply way to insure you have spare flints when needed, and you are far away from home. But, we just don't know.

I made my own flint wallet, out of an extra piece of elk hide I saved when I make my pants. The sewing is darn basic, and would never be mistaken for machine sewing work! I have a long pocket in which I carry extra flattened lead for a wrap, and then three separate compartments to carry 3 new flints. My wallet has a long Tail on it, and I simply roll it up, rather than fold it over, so that the flints are protected by several thicknesses of leather. It has worked for me for almost 30 years now. :thumbsup:

 

[Capt. Jas.]

This is a really good question.

I know that they have shown up in early 19th century flint double cases but as to how early they actually are and how far back the design goes I am unsure.

Would like to know though. :hmm:

 

[shooyer_250]

HAY Willie, good to meet you...

i found this last night while looking for flint wallets, been thinking about making a few...anyway...this might just be an original flint wallet...it's on ebay...i know, i know,,,but you just wanna look right..LOL...here goes
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290464149447

i hope this helps...caught my eye because it's so small and has belt loops...maybe it is a flint wallet...

good luck

God Bless

Lee

 

[Wullie]

I'm gonna weigh in here.

I used to do the "skinnin/rendezvous" thing pretty serious back in the 80's. Hung around with some pretty hardcore pre-1840 types. Hung around with a bunch of not so hard core pre-1850 types too. Had a lot of fun and wish it was still like it was, but it ain't. Nuff said there.

I have NEVER seen or heard of a flint wallet until I read this thread. Bear in mind It has been over 20 years since I set foot at a "doin's". So there has been a lot taken place that I ain't privvy to.

I can see how one would be handy. Personally. I just tossed a few spare flints in a pocket of my bag so I'd know where to reach with having to dig through all that other junk that collects in the bottom.

I figger them old boys traveled as light as possible and everything they carried had a purpose. My thinkin is a "flint wallet" would be a not so important item if such a thing did even exist.

I wasn't there. I don't know. :idunno:

 

[Scott_C]

I don’t know how many of you all subscribe to the The Museum of the Fur Trade Quarterly, but there is an excellent article in the Fall 2010 issue (Vol 46, No 3) entitled An Early New England Pouch and Toolkit by Ross K. Harper. It shows a surviving pouch and it’s assembled tools from the mid- to late-18th century: fire steel, an assortment of flints, tow, a ”˜match’ made of two strands of twisted tow with a small iron ring, well made iron gun worm, iron vent pick, pan brush, a fish hook, and an early American ”˜multi-tool consisting of a razor/cutting edge with screwdriver wedges and point (or perforator). Opened the wallet/pouch measures 6½ x 8 inches of soft leather. Seven separate pieces of leather were used to make this pouch. Each half of the pouch contain has two inner-sleeve pieces which create three compartments on each side.
It’s a very interesting article and good example of what a militiaman of the 18th century carried.
But even this looks nothing like the flint wallets that are sold these days.