Description

This is a relatively rare form of the soldier’s and gentleman traveller’s drinking flask of the period. Documented in many references and museum collections. (for a fine photo see Lord’s Vol. 2, pg. 102) Woven wicker and gutta percha coated twisted string covered bottle in the “pumpkin seed” form with twisted woven in loops for a carrying strap – all still amazingly intact. (these are almost universally blown out on the used examples we have handled) There is even quite a bit of the original lanyard strap still there, although dry and fragile. The flask is very sound with no cracks or breaks and the red and dark brown woven covering is in great shape. The  long neck is sheathed in nickeled metal with a pewter turned screw lip. The lid is a pewter drinking cup which is threaded inside the base so it screws down over the neck of the flask forming the cap. Very nice overall patina to both the covering and the pewter and will display very well – serviceable to boot. Not really sure why, but wicker covered flasks, when documented to an owner,  have been more commonly associated with southern use in the majority of those examples we have seen and inventoried. This flask seen today at over $225-250.00 retail, 10-15 yrs ago CWPG was valuating them at $350.00. Very difficult to find regardless of price and rarely in this condition.