Rare Ames Fouled Anchor Naval Powder Flask

Mexican American War

Nominally 9.5" in overall length, including the spout, with a nominally 8"x5" two piece stamped brass body, about 2.5" thick, embossed with a {Fouled Anchor} over U.S.N. Marked on top of charger lid, N.P. AMES and dated 1843. A weak script WAT inspection mark, that of Ordnance Officer William Anderson Thornton, and a P are stamped on the top as well. Another P appears on the side of the charger lid. A pair of sling suspension rings are attached to the body of the flask. The flask is designed to hold about 14 ounces of powder and the fixed spout throws a nominally 65 grain powder charge. A solid example of the first contract for USN powder flasks and a perfect accessory for a Jenks Naval Carbine or even an Ames Boxlock Navy Pistol.

From the Lifetime Collection of Robert G. Paulsen

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Very Good. Metal with a medium butterscotch patina. Embossing remains clear and crisp, markings on lid mostly legible. Mechanically functional charger. Body of flask with some lightly scattered dings and marks.

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Mr. Tim Prince

Senior Consulting Specialist, Arms, Armor & Militaria

[email protected]312 280 1212

Tim Prince has more than 30-years of experience in the field of antique and collectible arms and is a nationally recognized expert in the area of Civil War small arms. A long-time researcher and author, Tim has been a contributing author to two major books about Civil War firearms, including The English Connection: Arms, Material and Support Furnished to the Confederate States of America by Great Britain (2014) and Confederate Shotguns and Southern Agent Marked Shotguns (2017). He was also a major contributor to the recently updated Blue Book of Antique American Firearms & Values – 2nd Edition (2019) as well as the 2010 updates to the Civil War Collector's Price Guide - 12th edition. Over the last decade Tim has authored more than 50 articles on 19th century collectible and military arms, which have been published in such varied publications as Civil War News, North-South Trader, and Military Antique Collector. Since 2016 has appeared as a featured appraiser in the field of Arms & Militaria on the popular PBS television series Antiques Roadshow. He is a member of the American Society of Arms Collectors and currently serves on the board of directors of that organization. He is also a member of and formerly served on the board of directors of the Society of American Bayonet Collectors. Tim is a life member of the Ohio Valley Military Society, the Tennessee Military Collectors Association, the Alabama Military Collectors Association, is a member of the Company of Military Historians and is a member of numerous other colleting groups and societies. He is the owner of College Hill Arsenal, a web based antique and collectible arms retail web site, specializing in the American Civil War and related military items. Tim has engaged in the business of buying, selling, researching, and appraising antique and collectible arms and associated military items for some three decades. Since 2016 he has also served as a senior Consulting Specialist in the field of Arms, Armor & Militaria for Cowan’s Auctions, a Freeman's Company.

Mr. Tim Carey

Associate Vice President, Head of Department, Arms, Armor and Militaria

[email protected]312 280 1212

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Rare Ames Fouled Anchor Naval Powder Flask

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