A Good Early Naval Merchantman Ship's Cannon Priming Flask

18th to 19th century naval gunner's priming powder flask, of polished cow horn body, with traditional wooden base with brass spout plug and on of two carrying rings. In the firing naval cannon huge amounts of gunpowder were required to fire them, and the cannon were ignited with very fine quality, fine ground priming powder poured into the touch hole. Young boys, often known as ?powder monkeys?, would haul gunpowder to the gun decks within barrels. Cow horns flasks, were used to contain the fine grain priming powder, which was poured into the pan of the touch hole of each cannon before firing. 9" long overall

Code: 22987