Author Topic: Antique leather shot flask? (Read 3946 times)

One Shot · « **on:** October 04, 2020, 11:27:22 AM »

I just picked up this leather shot flask from an online auction.

It is stamped Josh Bourne & Son on one side of the flask. The measure is marked in OZ 1 and 1 1/4. The flask is 6 1/4" x 2 7/8" x 1 3/16. With spout/measure overall length is 8 3/8" plus ring and tab.

I tried to search for Josh Bourne & Son but came up with nothing. Is this an antique or is it a 20th century product?

Thank you.

JBJ · « **Reply #1 on:** October 04, 2020, 02:45:56 PM »

The real deal! Lovely workmanship!
J.B.

Pukka Bundook · « **Reply #2 on:** October 04, 2020, 05:11:31 PM »

It's a nice old one. V nicely put together.

One thing to look for if unsure of age, is the way the shot weight is marked.
Diagonal /slanted fraction marks are Usually newer than the horizontal division.

One Shot · « **Reply #3 on:** October 04, 2020, 08:03:49 PM »

The line is _ horizontal not slanted.

vanu · « **Reply #4 on:** October 04, 2020, 08:08:25 PM »

I'll bet is actually Joseph Bourne Birmingham Late 19th century

One Shot · « **Reply #5 on:** October 04, 2020, 09:20:09 PM »

Quote from: vanu on October 04, 2020, 08:08:25 PM

I'll bet is actually Joseph Bourne Birmingham Late 19th century

I saw that earlier. The stamp in the leather is quit different.

Is it possible one is either the son or elder of the other?

Feltwad · « **Reply #6 on:** October 04, 2020, 10:58:54 PM »

The condition for this flask is quite good and has not done much work there fore I would say it has come from a cased Joseph Bourne shotgun . It would have been made by Dixon or Hawksley and and stamped Joseph Bourne along with other components in the case .
Feltwad

One Shot · « **Reply #7 on:** October 04, 2020, 11:52:03 PM »

Feltwad, it is stamped Josh Bourne not Joseph Bourne. Not sure if there is a relationship or not between the two.

smokinbuck · « **Reply #8 on:** October 05, 2020, 01:25:05 AM »

I have a number of these and I concur with Feltwad.

Panzerschwein · « **Reply #9 on:** October 05, 2020, 03:20:45 AM »

Love that tite leather....

One Shot · « **Reply #10 on:** October 05, 2020, 06:07:45 AM »

Quote from: Feltwad on October 04, 2020, 10:58:54 PM

The condition for this flask is quite good and has not done much work there fore I would say it has come from a cased Joseph Bourne shotgun . It would have been made by Dixon or Hawksley and and stamped Joseph Bourne along with other components in the case .
Feltwad

What you say seems to have some logical merit....

Tanselman · « **Reply #11 on:** October 05, 2020, 08:26:27 AM »

I would think "Josh" is really just an abbreviated form of "Joseph" without the normal apostrophe. If written correctly it would be Jos'h, but the maker simpified it to Josh.
Shelby Gallien

Feltwad · « **Reply #12 on:** October 05, 2020, 12:12:22 PM »

Quote from: One Shot on October 04, 2020, 11:52:03 PM

Feltwad, it is stamped Josh Bourne not Joseph Bourne. Not sure if there is a relationship or not between the two.

You will find that it was common practice on British gunmakers first name to be abbreviated on accessors and more so gun locks , I have restored many shotguns and others with this type of naming. It also happens on powder flasks from cased sets and later on in the pinfire and early breech loader accessors in makers cases such has turn screws , loading tools and cleaning rods etc were named after the gunmaker. Hope this has been some help
Feltwad

Daryl · « **Reply #13 on:** October 23, 2020, 09:21:33 PM »

A Very nice flask, One Shot.
That is a wonderful collection, Feltwad.

Dennis Daigger · « **Reply #14 on:** October 26, 2020, 01:15:24 AM »

Your flask is in excellent condition and appears to be useable. I recently completed a quest to find vintage shot and powder flasks that I can use with each of my muzzleloaders. These are wonderful accessories. Glad you posted this.

One Shot · « **Reply #15 on:** November 01, 2020, 03:01:17 AM »

Thank y'all for the comments and information. Y'all are a great knowledgeable bunch. I feel honored to be amongst y'all.

Feltwad, very impressive collection. One to be proud of Sir.

A fire and divorce diminished the very few that I had collected and inherited.

Dutch Blacky · « **Reply #16 on:** May 08, 2021, 12:59:14 PM »

That´s a great collection, Feltwad.

I´d like to go on with this thead:

I got two shot flasks, one of them ist rather similar to the shot flask in your upper foto, Feltwad. I am rather sure, that it might be an antique original made by Dixon and sons (see pic, right side)

I identified the other one (left) as a new one. I saw it in the Dixie Gunworks catalogue. The decoration is similar to the Remington powder flask

OLUT · « **Reply #17 on:** May 08, 2021, 06:31:04 PM »

Quote from: Dutch Blacky on May 08, 2021, 12:59:14 PM

That´s a great collection, Feltwad.

I´d like to go on with this thead:

I got two shot flasks, one of them ist rather similar to the shot flask in your upper foto, Feltwad. I am rather sure, that it might be an antique original made by Dixon and sons (see pic, right side)

I identified the other one (left) as a new one. I saw it in the Dixie Gunworks catalogue. The decoration is similar to the Remington powder flask

Dutch Blacky, The one on the right has the spring in backward... see Riling's # 1466 and 1467. I have the 1466 pouch with the 1467 spout ( like yours ) and have used to for hunting since 1958 . Note that my leather pouch however does NOT have the Dixon name at the bottom. Yours might be a re-make, but I sure can't tell for certain

Dutch Blacky · « **Reply #18 on:** May 08, 2021, 06:50:44 PM »

Thanks @OLUT

It seems, that the spring of the flask at the right side was replaced.

It is always a big problem to decide, if an object ist antique or not.

Furthermore Dixon and Sons made powder flasks in the 1960s.

I think that another big problem are very good re-makes from India. One indication for a re-make might be the material and form of the screws.

But I do not know for sure, if one of my shot flasks ist an old/antique one! The leather seems too good to me.

Dutch Blacky · « **Reply #19 on:** May 08, 2021, 07:51:19 PM »

Quote from: OLUT on May 08, 2021, 06:31:04 PM

Quote from: Dutch Blacky on May 08, 2021, 12:59:14 PM

Dutch Blacky, The one on the right has the spring in backward... see Riling's # 1466 and 1467. I have the 1466 pouch with the 1467 spout ( like yours ) and have used to for hunting since 1958 . Note that my leather pouch however does NOT have the Dixon name at the bottom. Yours might be a re-make, but I sure can't tell for certain

Thank you again OLUT for your critical comment.

That is because I like this forum. CRITICAL COMMENTS !
I just started collecting powder flasks 1 year ago, and I know to know nothing.

In most ebay actions seller write that their object is antique or old, even if they know, that it is a re-make.

Dutch Blacky · « **Reply #20 on:** May 09, 2021, 01:39:05 PM »

You are absolutely right OLUT

Both shot flasks are "new", made in India

(http://weaponedge.com/Gun-Powder-Flask.php) WEG-6013 and WEG-6014

Pukka Bundook · « **Reply #21 on:** May 10, 2021, 02:36:18 AM »

Dutch,

Because the same flasks are still offered doesn't mean the ones you show Have to be new. The same designs were used forever it seems, so we can see antique, And reproduction, with the same ornamentation.

Its a sticky subject.

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Author Topic: Antique leather shot flask? (Read 3946 times)