Gourd Powder/Shot flasks on Blog Today

[LynnC]

The bag, horn and accessories include Gourd Powder/Shot flasks on Blog today (6/15).   The two pictured are typical bottle gourd examples of those found in the deep south, Mississippi in my case.  I have found gourds like this used to carry powder and shot, Some still containing the original contents.

Does anyone know the area these were found in.  The banded horn says NC to me.

[art riser]

From the Freeland family, Hillsboro, North Carolina...

[LynnC]

Thank you Art.

I didn't know that gourd flasks were made and used in the NC area but I suppose they must have been all over the rural south

[JWBlair]

Here's one from the NPS collections,also NC-

http://www.nps.gov/museum/exhibits/revwar/image_gal/gucoimg/guco5gourd.html

[Hungry Horse]

My grandmothers family came from North Carolina, and although I never saw a powder gourd. My great,great grandma had a sewing box made from what they called a half-a-bushel gourd. It had been grown in a square basket made from hickory splits, and woven. The gourd was square, and had the pattern of the basket in the outer surface. Most folks wouldn't have known it was a gourd except that the lid was the top of the gourd.


                                Hungry Horse

[LynnC]

JWBlair - the NC powder gourd you posted looks very much like those I've seen in Miss. and Ala. with one exception.  That NC gourd seems to be dyed or painted.  I have seen a couple with a dark slash of paint on them (to what purpose I have no Idea), some maybe varnished and one with WT and 1844 scribed on it.  Thanks for showing that gourd>

HH - I've seen powder gourd flasks that are flattened and I have grown some between two boards myself but I must say I've never seen a gourd made into a box like that.

[JWBlair]

LynnC I found some pictures of others-

http://media.liveauctiongroup.net/i/3849/5173446_1.jpg
http://p2.la-img.com/566/11029/2711298_1_l.jpg
http://www.cinoa.org/antiques/d/an-interesting-french-commemorative-regimental-powder-flask-/42375
http://www.kyhistory.com:2010/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/Calk2&CISOPTR=23&CISOBOX=1&REC=10

Coconut shells were also popular as I've found several pictures of those although most aren't as fine as this one and not many had an American association-

http://woodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.com/2011/01/french-coconut-shell-powder-flask.html

Hungry Horse-I grew some of this bushel gourds one summer,wish I had thought about doing that.I gave one particularly fine one to an Aunt who was a school teacher in a city.It was a never ending source of amazement to those city kids.They always wanted her to cut it open every year,she never did. LOL

[LynnC]

Wow - The 3rd is surely a high art gourd powder flask 

Now the first 2 and the Boonesboro flasks I can identify with.  The folk art painted 1822 gourd is really nice.  Far nicer that anything I've found this far south.  Any idea where the 1822 flask is from?

Now that fancy coconut is something else.  Don't see many (any) of those around here 

[JWBlair]

No I don't.  I suspicion it may be European from the looks of the "hog".

[JWBlair]

Lynn,here are two pictures of coconut powder flasks of possible American origin I was trying to locate before-

This one has a pewter spout-

http://www.cottoneauctions.com/oldsite/old/images/TomWnuck/canteens/canteens-cups.jpg

Here's one utilizing parts from a metal powder flask-

http://c0728562.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/MI19295_HR.jpg

[LynnC]

Thanks JWB - I'll take a look at the as soon as I can get on a real computer.  Can't get the pics on the blackberry

[LynnC]

Those flasks are unusual to say the least - I learn of something new about every day 

[bigbat]

where could I get some "bushel gourd" seeds?

[JWBlair]

Here's where I got mine the year I grew them-

http://www.henryfields.com/product/Bushel_Gourd/vegetable_seeds

They'll spread all over creation too.Have a lot of room.

Do a google search for bushel gourd seeds for sale,several places have them.It's really too late to start them now.

[Hungry Horse]

JW;

  Thanks for the source for these big gourds. I have been looking for them for years. This just seems to be a great source of primitive storage containers, with a little North Carolina history thorn in for good measure. TTYL.


                   Hungry Horse