According to ray riling, author of the powder flask book, it is possiblebut dangerously sothat the powder was carried in leather pouches and pockets until the first true powder flask was developed during the 15th century. Any person who is considering embarking on a journey of collecting powder flasks would be well advised to obtain a copy of ray riling s book particularly to identify a genuine vintage flask from the countless examples of fakes on offer. Treating of the history and use of the flask as a principal accesory to the firearm, from its inception, through the ages, until the popular acceptance of the metallic cartridge, and giving emphasis to the powder flasks of the nineteenth century, noting their significance and value for shooters and collectors of antique. The metropolitan museum of art, 2000, updated april 2009 further reading. Treating of the history and use of the flask as a principal accesory to the firearm, from its inception, through the ages, until the popular acceptance of the metallic cartridge, and giving emphasis to the powd. Gun powder flask powder flask remains excellent overall, 8 long, no open seams, lever in working order with both original hangers. The entire flask measures 5 long and 2 across at the body. Wilsons 1971 edition of the book of colt firearms, the original walker powder flask had been substituted with a dragoon flask. Riling, ray and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles. Please note that the definitive work on powder flasks, of all types, is ray riling s the powder flask book published in 1953.
The powder flask book hc ray riling books at gunbroker. Quite simply the powder flask book is a classic work very unique first published in the 1960s the bible of flask collecting. Lot of two ames and batty peace flasks cowans auction. For those who wish to delve deeper into the world of powder flasks, the bible is still ray rilings the powder flask book, first published in 1953.
Parks, civil war, relics, memorabilia, military, books. The powder flask book by ray riling hbdj 1992 description. The powder flask book by ray riling 1992, hardcover for. Laid in is a bookmark for the powder flask book showing on one side a revolutionary war soldier over the year 1776, and on the reverse a modern hunter over the year 1953, the publication date of the book. This landmark book is the only comprehensive sourcebook for information and the history of firearms powder flasks containers from around.
This unique flask is included as number 856 on page 362 of ray rilings the powder flask book, where he describes flasks of this type as a. Search our catalog firearms gun accessories powder flasks click on an item image to view the full details. Treating of the history and use of the flask as a principal accesory to the firearm, from its inception, through the ages, until the popular acceptance of the metallic cartridge, and giving emphasis to the powder flasks of the nineteenth century, noting their significance and value for shooters and collectors of antique arms and flasks. One of these flasks is illustrated in ray rilings powder flask book fig. Even though written over fifty years ago the powder flask book is still the most definitive publication regarding the collecting and identifying of antique gunpowder flasks. Can also be used with your muzzleloading rifle or pistol. An especially fine gutta perchahard rubber powder flask. Buy the powder flask book reprint by riling, ray isbn. The flask range from fair to very good with varying degrees of wear including some with dents and damaged parts. Flask hs cylindrical brass powder flask, 234 length, 114 diameter accepts 101mm threaded spouts.
Please note that the definitive work on powder flasks, of all types, is ray rilings the powder flask book published in 1953. From the time the revolver was returned to the united states by ray riling in 1951 to when it was photographed for use in r. Ray riling published by robert halter the river house, new hope, pa 1953. Unique horn shaped diana the huntress powder flask a. Brass with spread winged eagle clutching revolver and flask in talons on each side, pistol type flask, see no. With dust cover has an preivous owers personal label inside the fron cover. Unique horn shaped diana the huntress powder flask. This style of flask is listed in ray rilings powder flask book and also a lot of other. Due to the cheap construction few have survived in good condition and as riling. Keeping your powder dry could be a matter of life and death. Vintage book 1953 the powder flask book ray riling many photos. Treating of the history and use of the flask as a principal accessory to the firearm, from its inception, through the ages. The colt navy style flask was widely used with percussion revolvers.
I believe this is the second printing of the first ed. It contains over three thousand numbered and chronologicallyarranged descriptions of books related to small arms from the fifteenth century through 1950, as well as several other useful lists. Flasks made by this maker can be easily recognised by the way the top has been mounted and bottom plate. Has dust jacket, but it has some wear, book is solid.
Due to the cheap construction few have survived in good condition and as riling put it. The first flasks were probably hollowed out gourds or horns with a peg for stopper 1. The powder flask book by ray riling and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. This is the book with all the flasks, if you collect flasks or general accoutrements you need this book. The powder flask book first edition by ray riling 1953 new hope, pa. Powder flask book by ray riling 1953 from boston book. Signed by riling under his printed name at the end of the preface. The premier publication on powder flasks of all time by collectors. It has a brass lever type head and holds about 8 oz. Similarly, his powder flask book 1953 is the standard reference in the collecting field of later antique american powder flasks. The powder flask book 1953 1st edition by ray riling ebay. Please look at the pictures and ask any questions you may have. It is a magnificent tome and it is highly unlikely that it will ever be surpassed in its breadth and study scope of powder flasks. The powder flask book hardcover january 1, 1960 by ray riling author 4.
Seventeen flasks of varying designs including a batty peace flask, a leather shot pouch, and the powder flask book by ray riling. Entitled, the powder flask book and authored by ray riling in 1953. Diana the huntress is shown in the picture panel with fluting above, all enclosed within an egg and. Powder flask for cap and ball pistols and muzzleloading rifles. First edition of what is considered the bible for powder flask collecting. These powder flasks would have been used during the american seminole indian wars and possibly helped texans, at the alamo, gain their independence from mexico. C 1953, 496 page hard cover in jacket showing wear and small tears in jacket, book remains in excellent condition and contains a small notice about this first edition. Import eagle pistol powder flask r777 in riling s powder flask book. Dust jacket condition very good, hard cover condition excellent, gilt crisp, pages clean, binding tight. Dust jacket is well worn, but the information is solid. This actual flask is illustrated as image 739 on page 334 of the powder flask book by ray riling. Riling s wife, beatrice davis riling 19041962, collaborated on these works. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
Hawksley large powder flask with floral decoration. Wikimedia commons has media related to gunpowder flasks. Examples of such flasks are found in ray riling s the powder flask book published 1953 on pages 402 and 403. The gutta percha is chocolate colored and in excellent, smooth condition with visible seam lines. I will be listing many rare books from an estate which are. Rilings wife, beatrice davis riling 19041962, collaborated on these works. See page 410 in the powder flask book by riling for a similar example. Up for bid is a used hardcover copy of the the powder flask book by ray riling. Original 1st edition with 494 pages containing detailed descriptions and over 1600 illustrations of powder flasks and measures. Rarely seen these eagle flasks were produced in birmingham and made of light weight white metal zinc. The body is embossed with the cannon and stand of flags emblem.
Ray riling, the powder flask book, 1953, the standard work on 19thcentury. Riling, ray is the author of powder flask book with isbn 9781884849046 and isbn 1884849040. The powder flask book nov 11, 2017 old barn auction. Examples of such flasks are found in ray rilings the powder flask book published 1953 on pages 402 and 403. Both faces depict federal eagle over circle of twentysix stars encircling clasping hands over a sunburst, all over a panoply of arms with us in shield. Published by robert halter, the river house of new hope, pa. At that time no one had differentiated a walker flask from a dragoon flask. The powder flask book by ray riling, bonanza books, 1953 edition, 495 illustrated pages. Featuring a male pheasant in a floriated panel on the front and with a plain rear. Riling book on page 412 declares that it is rare with this shape and decoration.
The book is very good with mild age and storage related wear including some discoloration. So comprehensive and accurate is this book that auction houses and antique arms and militaria dealers quote its source as a validation of the flasks on offer. Thousands of illustrations, information that includes the makers of flasks but also other related fields. The powder flask book by ray riling first edition petes. Search our catalog firearms gun accessories powder flasks. Ray riling, the powder flask book, 1953, the standard work on 19thcentury american flasks.
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