Possible Revolutionary War era shot or powder bag

[jacobgosling]

Hi,

For your consideration, a tanned leather shot or powder bag, stitched with flax twine. The neck and stopper seem to be red cedar wood or possibly cherry.The item has seen some years. It's as desiccated as a Fourth Dynasty Mummy and light as a feather. The bag smells like ancient history.

I acquired this by auction about four months ago.

What do think? Could this possibly date to the Revolutionary War period?

Best regards,

JG

 

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[gunsil]

Well the stopper is a replacement and the thing is just too dang small for a shot pouch. Rev war? could easily be much newer African, middle eastern, or eastern European. How did you determine the thread is jute? I think colonial American would likely be linen thread.

 

[jacobgosling]

Sorry, I meant 'flax' not Jute. The bag was found in the attic of an 18th century house in Maryland next to a mid-18th century enameled glass decanter of the Stieglitz type. African, Middle Eastern or Eastern European seems a stretch. And I challenge the idea that the stopper is a replacement. But thanks for your input. I appreciate any and all participation in this thread, and I never run from a debate or beat people over the head for disagreeing with me

Best regards,

JG

 

[smokeythecat]

Those things are very hard to date. The reenactors still make them. The leather itself doesn't look 200 plus years old, I don't see the normal cracking like you would normally see unless it's just the picture. If attic found it should have dried out terribly and there should be a ton of cracking to it, assuming it has been in an attic a long time.

 

[gunsil]

Sorry, I meant 'flax' not Jute. The bag was found in the attic of an 18th century house in Maryland next to a mid-18th century enameled glass decanter of the Stieglitz type. African, Middle Eastern or Eastern European seems a stretch. And I challenge the idea that the stopper is a replacement. But thanks for your input. I appreciate any and all participation in this thread, and I never run from a debate or beat people over the head for disagreeing with me

Best regards,

JG

Whoever made the nice round wooden tube/spout would have certainly made a nice turned plug/stopper. Heck, even without turning I could whittle a nicer fitting stopper than that. Did you find this yourself or is this another auction purchase?

 

[jacobgosling]

The bag is extremely desiccated. Dry as a bone. It is as light as a feather. I propose that the object escaped too much cracking or other damage because it's been hidden away from the sun and other stressing factors for many years. It also appears to be of the highest quality leather.

There 'is' a very long and noticeable crack along the bottom.

 

[jacobgosling]

CC: gunsil

Believe me. I've gotten the message loud and clear, repeatedly. People who buy things have no credibility and are the lowest form of life on TN. I get it.

Thanks