Dixon flask

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I have a friend who owns a neat old flask and would like to know what it is worth.  He has sentimental attachment to it as it has been in his family for a long time.  And since it is old, he has the idea that it is worth a small fortune.  I tried to enlighten him without much success, but I'd still like to have an appraisal, if I may.

[Shreckmeister]

Huned dolla Mas y menos

[tuffy]

I would agree with Shreckmeister on $100. dollars, but that would be on the high side. I think $80 - $90 would be more in line.

            CW

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Thanks you very much...appreciate your input.

[Shreckmeister]

I would agree with Shreckmeister on $100. dollars, but that would be on the high side. I think $80 - $90 would be more in line.

            CW

Yep

[Nit Wit]

That is a really nice game bird. In an auction setting it could go higher! I'd be proud to carry that and use it. That way others get to enjoy it also.
Nice piece.
Nit Wit

[Tim Crosby]

 A question; I wonder if the price would vary by country? I would like to hear what Feltwad thinks.

  Tim C.  

 I should know better than to start a discussion here. So I will bring it up over in "Accouterments" TC

[Dennis Glazener]

I bought a couple of ML rifles from a gun near Toronto Canada several years ago. I remember he collected them and was selling them on Ebay when he need to trim down his collection. It seems to me most of them ones similar to this one were going for $75 to $100, I was surprised at the low prices.
Dennis

[smokinbuck]

I have a number of flasks, by Dixon as well as many others. Dixon flasks by themselves aren't particularly valuable but remember, a dollar to one person is a dime to another. A Dixon flask in very good condition could bring between $75 -100 depending on size, shape ( as in configuration not condition) and of course condition. A paneled flask such as this one, by any maker, will usually bring a premium. I would put this flask in the $100-150 range for most knowledgable collectors. The color is good, it is not banged and dinged, the spring appears to be intact and original and the bird and attendant decoration is very sharp and clean. I would consider this a desirable flask.
Mark

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Again, many thanks for the confirmation of my own thinking.  I do not think there is any way my friend will part with it, so it will continue to reside in his underwear drawer until his relatives throw it out after his passing.  I'd love to have it and would certainly use it for its intended purpose.  Incidentally, it contains about a third of a pound of nice old black powder - looks about 3Fg.

[eddillon]

Mark's assessment represents a very fair value for a flask collector.  Nice piece.

[Bob Roller]

Again, many thanks for the confirmation of my own thinking.  I do not think there is any way my friend will part with it, so it will continue to reside in his underwear drawer until his relatives throw it out after his passing.  I'd love to have it and would certainly use it for its intended purpose.  Incidentally, it contains about a third of a pound of nice old black powder - looks about 3Fg.

Taylor,
The Dixon flask story reminds me of one told to me over 50 years ago by William B.Edwards who wrote
books pertaining to firearms and was one of the founders of GUNS Magazine.
During WW2 he was working in Hartford,Ct. for Pratt&Whitney making parts for aircraft engines and he had
a room he rented from two older ladies. These ladies kept their sewing tools in a box he recognized as a pistol case.
He asked about the guns and was told they threw them away because they didn't like any kind of guns.
The two guns were Colt Paterson revolvers.
I met Mr.Edwards in 1963 at an OGCA meeting in Columbus,Oh. and also Val Forgett from Navy Arms. This was
the one time I hadn't driven my own car and when I mentioned I was from Huntington,WV he asked me if I would
drive him to Huntington in his car. I agreed,told my friends what I was doing and then went to Mr. Edwards car.
On the way out he said he had an old car and hoped I didn't mind driving it. He had a good looking,original 1933
Cadillac Imperial sedan with a V12 engine. He asked me if I could drive it and I told him I had owned a 1937 Cadillac V12
and had worked on and driven several Duesenbergs. He handed me the key and said."Take us out of here" which I did
and he became Bill and I was Bob instead of Mr.Roller and we stayed in touch for a long time after that.
Thanks,Taylor for reviving a long dormant memory.

Bob Roller

[smart dog]

Taylor,
That flask is shown in Ray Riling's book on powder flasks.  It apparently was a common one and not worth all that much relative to other Dixon flasks of that period.  In 1953 dollars Riling appraised it at $12, which is about $106 today.  Of course antique prices reflect demand, which changes over time.

dave 

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Thanks Dave:  I know my buddy isn't going to be happy, but I've long since stopped worrying about that sort of thing.  I doubt that I'll be able to talk him out of it, but I'll try.

[Feltwad]

What your friend has is a standard flask by Dixon & Son has a collector of powder flasks here in the UK that type of flask would sell at auction for £50 -£60 sterling.
Feltwad

Display Board Part of my Collection

The middle flask is a rare flask for wildfowling and throws a charge from 9 to 12 drms

[Robby]

That is a handsome flask for sure, common or not. I would love to have one like it. Taylor, maybe if you show him a print out of the comments from the knowledgable folks here it will help your case. At least he'll know your not blowing smoke. Good luck!
Robby