South German Priming Flask
A South German Priming Flask made from the Carapace of a Herman’s Tortoise with Cast Brass Mounts in the Form of Acanthus Leaves
17th Century
Size: 4.5cm high, 7.5cm wide, 13cm long – 1¾ ins high, 3 ins wide, 5 ins long
17th Century
Size: 4.5cm high, 7.5cm wide, 13cm long – 1¾ ins high, 3 ins wide, 5 ins long
With matchlock guns, wheel locks and flintlocks it was necessary to use finer powder in the pan than in the charge. The act of filling the pan was called priming, and the flask to hold the fine powder, the primer. In Europe, it could be combined with the spanner for wheel locks or with a bullet pouch. Flasks of all kinds were favourite objects for decoration, but the primer being small and constantly carried was particularly chosen for this purpose.
South German Priming Flask
SOLD
