leather powder flask for fur trade?

[JeffS]

Hi, I bought a book "Mountainman Crafts and Skills" by David Montgomery. Pretty good book, lots of good ideas. Some of the instructions for some items are too vague, but overall a good purchase, imho.

The book has a simple plan for a leather powder flask. Basically cut out two "flask" shaped pieces of leather and put a brass or copper tube in the neck, and cork it with wooden plug. Sew it real tight. Leave enough leather by the neck to tie a lanyard and hanging it like a regular horn. Might have to fill it with wheat or somthing while wet and let it form into shape as it dries. I like the idea cause I think it would hang nicely above my shooting bag and not get in the way as much as a horn. I thought about water-proofing it with linseed oil but then thought better. A highly flammable powder flask would be a pretty bad idea.

Any thoughts on water proofing? Maybe wax? and also, would this be somthing a mountain man would have? Thanks for any input.

Jeff

 

[Jimrogers]

I think a mountain man would have used anything he brought to the mountains with him be it leather flask or Lancaster rifle. When it broke, got lost, or stolen, he made a replacement (or fixed the old) with the materials and tools at hand.

 

[musketman]

would this be somthing a mountain man would have?

Sure, if their horn was traded, lost, broke or stolen, they would have to make another to hold them over until the next rendevous rolled around...

What raw material did they have the most abundant for manufacturing?

Leather...

Here is a 19th century leather and wood powder flask... (not mine)

 

is that a powder flask or a shot flask? I have seen an auction site with a bunch of leather flasks also shown as "powder flasks"--but I wonder....wouldn't leather be too porous and allow too much moisture in? I think these flasks are for lead balls and shot. I have an original Rev. War (supposedly) leather flask from PA that still contains its original lead shot. I carry repro leather ball flasks for my rifle and smoothie.... :m2c:

 

[bezoar]

Treat the inside with say brewers pitch and then coat with bees wax. that should make it water tight, and make sure you stitching is heavily water proofed, and the spout needs to be water proofed heavily as well, but its better then just carrying around loose powder in a leather pouch as was done in europe for along time

 

[bovey]

is that a powder flask or a shot flask? I have seen an auction site with a bunch of leather flasks also shown as "powder flasks"--but I wonder....wouldn't leather be too porous and allow too much moisture in? I think these flasks are for lead balls and shot. I have an original Rev. War (supposedly) leather flask from PA that still contains its original lead shot. I carry repro leather ball flasks for my rifle and smoothie.... :m2c:

I saw the same auction and wondered the same thing... I have an antique bullet pouch with a pewter neck and tapered wood stopper made from a soft leather. I am sure leather powder flasks existed but I would think that they would be larger than 6" in length.

 

[Chuck Thom]

I have made leather powder flasks for my matchlocks and water proofed them inside and out with spar varnish could probably use any varnish...Chuck

 

[jrdavis]

Any thoughts on water proofing? Maybe wax? and also, would this be somthing a mountain man would have? Thanks for any input.

Jeff [/quote]
might try Neat-lac from Tandy...will give it a shine