So for those looking for a historic reference to fishing tackle AND powder flasks, I offer this from 1772, London
The merchant offers "...,Artificial Flies, Mice, & etc. " So other lures besides flies were being used. I found that very interesting.
The ad does not mention "fishing reels" and I've been told that a reel in 1772 in England was thought to be an "unsporting, fish poacher's tool"..., so perhaps that is why. The ad does mention he sells a "Treatise on Angling", so I believe he sells rods for dappling and other "angling" techniques.
FYI What's old is new again, and 18th century "angling" was very similar in many ways to modern Tenkara fishing.
The merchant also sells powder flasks in "Metal, Tin, Leather, Horn, & etc, to any Pattern or Size, ..." so I think he's actually making or has access to a horn/flask maker. I wonder since he mentions flasks that are made from tin, and we know in the 19th century they were made out of stamped brass..., if he means brass when the ad lists "Metal" or if there are other metals that were used as well? One could make one out of copper, but I'd think that a bit pricey for the time. I wonder if the "Leather" flasks were hard leather..., which I would assume but assumptions are often in danger of error. He does not mention powder flasks being made of wood, but I suppose the " & etc." portion of the list of possible flask/horn materials may cover that. Supposition also can lead to problems, though.
LD
The merchant offers "...,Artificial Flies, Mice, & etc. " So other lures besides flies were being used. I found that very interesting.
The ad does not mention "fishing reels" and I've been told that a reel in 1772 in England was thought to be an "unsporting, fish poacher's tool"..., so perhaps that is why. The ad does mention he sells a "Treatise on Angling", so I believe he sells rods for dappling and other "angling" techniques.
FYI What's old is new again, and 18th century "angling" was very similar in many ways to modern Tenkara fishing.
The merchant also sells powder flasks in "Metal, Tin, Leather, Horn, & etc, to any Pattern or Size, ..." so I think he's actually making or has access to a horn/flask maker. I wonder since he mentions flasks that are made from tin, and we know in the 19th century they were made out of stamped brass..., if he means brass when the ad lists "Metal" or if there are other metals that were used as well? One could make one out of copper, but I'd think that a bit pricey for the time. I wonder if the "Leather" flasks were hard leather..., which I would assume but assumptions are often in danger of error. He does not mention powder flasks being made of wood, but I suppose the " & etc." portion of the list of possible flask/horn materials may cover that. Supposition also can lead to problems, though.
LD