Trade era? brass, fine scrolled silver,and either ivory/horn/bone powder flask

**rootdigger** · Nov 30, 2010, 06:52 PM

This was such a nice find!!! I could not help but too share it with ya's and maybe get a good idea of it's age and possible value. This gunpowder flask measures close to 13" tip to tip. Looks to be brass, copper is iffy, old brass will turn a copper color in time, its inlaid in fine scrolled/decorated silver, and this silver in this flask looks to be trade era silver, but please don't hold me to that, I only saw and handled a few pieces, not and expert. and the center of this is ivory or bone or horn. I really don't wanna take a gander on that, but would love some opinions on it all actually. I took it to a gold and silver buyer, to see about getting the silver tested, no.1, they didn't wanna scratch and acid test this, which I am not letting happen to it. and no.2, when they first seen it, all they could say is, that is before the civil war. I agree with that too. it is handmade and soldered I guess they woulda called it that, this together. I didn't post a lot of pics, but will be glad too if someone wants or needs more too help or determine its age and maybe a value too. the tips lid comes off and its silver on the outside and brass/copper on the inside to match either sides decoration's/style.. Has markings in the copper or brass end of this also, but can't really tell what they are..its a beauty, thats for sure!!!! Thanks alot and enjoy!!!