Flint wallet?

[wet willy]

Anyone on the Forum have sources describing a "flint wallet" from Colonial Times?

Lots of current versions around of a thrice-folded pocketed leather piece to hold a few flints and perhaps a vent pick or a turn-screw, but I'm looking for authentication sources these items were common around the Colonial Times era, either here or in Europe. It seems intuitive one would not keep fresh flints loose in one's pocket or hunting pouch as they could cut through, and if jostled, chip the sharp edge. There must have been some scheme to keep them handy.

Are there museum examples, period pictures, etc, on how fresh flints were carried? Or perhaps carried in a hunting pouch in a small pocket?

[Kermit]

Good question. I've made a LOT of these for gifts, but I don't think I've ever heard discussion as to what's HC/PC.

[T.C.Albert]

I believe small pockets in old hunting pouches are pretty rare too...
tc

[jrb]

For what it's worth, there was a thread a few years ago on the Frontier Folk website on whether "flint wallets" were used in 18th century America and nobody produced a period document mentioning them, let alone an actual wallet.
The types that have a steel attached to the outside of the leather to be used as strike a lights can be often seen on ebay listed as antiques from Tibet.

[James Rogers]

For what it's worth, there was a thread a few years ago on the Frontier Folk website on whether "flint wallets" were used in 18th century America and nobody produced a period document mentioning them, let alone an actual wallet.
The types that have a steel attached to the outside of the leather to be used as strike a lights can be often seen on ebay listed as antiques from Tibet.

I think I remember seeing a close resemblance to those striker pouches in an old English catalog from the 1800-1820 period. Will have to dig it up. I have seen the flint wallet types included in cased fowling gun cases from across the pond but when they were placed in there I have no clue : )

[okieboy]

 As to not carrying flints loose in a pouch, which seems pretty sensible; weren't (and maybe they still are) flints shipped from England in bulk sacks and bigger bulk wooden kegs?