🥇 BANNER This is unbelievable this might be my most precious relic yet

[Truth]

This is unbelievable this might be my most precious relic yet. I didn’t have much time I went on my lunch break because I saw this stream that runs through my town and normally it’s got a lot of water in it but it hasn’t rained in a while and I saw some rocks so I went for it. I saw lotta broken glass, blue white shards and a lot of iron and then I pulled up this NOT A DING ON IT!!! How can one man be so lucky? The Lord is good

 

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[Truth]

Have you got any more uprades on your flask ?

Yeah while I was getting to the inside on cleaning it I broke that with the brass seal on the top of the flask the side piece I need it soldered. I should’ve had more patience

 

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[A2coins]

This is unbelievable this might be my most precious relic yet. I didn’t have much time I went on my lunch break because I saw this stream that runs through my town and normally it’s got a lot of water in it but it hasn’t rained in a while and I saw some rocks so I went for it. I saw lotta broken glass, blue white shards and a lot of iron and then I pulled up this NOT A DING ON IT!!! How can one man be so lucky? The Lord is good

Awesome find I dont think I would have returned to work lol Congrats thats really nice

 

[crashbandicoot]

Need some advice on this powder flask. I got good news the good news is I got it open and what was in there was the mechanism that opened it up which was so hard to get open but I have the peace the bad thing was was I broke the shell holder in the top on hopefully I can get that soldered is that possible? Third it’s got a whole lot of black stuff in there what should I clean it with?

It was a little lever that went on the flask that was in there while I was put a little too much muscle on getting it open the brass sides of the tub broke I have to have it re-soldered I don’t know who does that

Any tinsmith at a sheet metal shop should be able to do that,or a jeweler.

 

[Truth]

Awesome find I dont think I would have returned to work lol Congrats thats really nice

Hey A2 I’m going back tomorrow just a little bit of farther up the stream

 

[Truth]

Any tinsmith at a sheet metal shop should be able to do that,or a jeweler.

I appreciate that crash I’m gonna get it fixed somewhere tomorrow

 

[crashbandicoot]

I appreciate that crash I’m gonna get it fixed somewhere tomorrow

If I was nearby I could do it.I,m a dab hand with a soldering iron.

 

[Truth]

If I was nearby I could do it.I,m a dab hand with a soldering iron.

Man crash I wish you were here right now

 

[Trezurehunter]

Congrats on an excellent find Truth. That is in great shape.

 

[AlluvialFan]

This is unbelievable this might be my most precious relic yet. I didn’t have much time I went on my lunch break because I saw this stream that runs through my town and normally it’s got a lot of water in it but it hasn’t rained in a while and I saw some rocks so I went for it. I saw lotta broken glass, blue white shards and a lot of iron and then I pulled up this NOT A DING ON IT!!! How can one man be so lucky? The Lord is good

Very Cool! Congrats!

 

[AlluvialFan]

A simple rub with a soft cotton cloth in an inconspicuous area would reveal the yellow color of brass underneath. If the color remains reddish copper it's not brass.

I seriously doubt it's brass, being in the water, the zinc would have migrated to the surface and you would see gray/green/white crumbly residue on the exterior instead of the red color of copper.

During the period your design was manufactured the better ones were made with a copper body and a brass measuring spout. It was believed that combination was sparkless (an important consideration!) and the copper was less prone to corrosion from the powder than brass.

As far as conservation the first step would be to get the top unscrewed and give the inside a thorough cleaning with clean cold water. The Potassium nitrate in the gunpowder residue will have displaced most of the more soluble copper sulfate in that wet environment. Hot water will put any copper sulfate still in the flask into solution and you really don't want to lose that while there are still nitrates in the flask.

The washing should be a slow gentle process. Keep the flask under clean cold water without any agitation or rubbing. Change the water every day or so. Try not to disturb the flask while you are changing the water. This is no time to use a hose or faucet, just gently and slowly fill the soak container from a pitcher. A bottom drain will be helpful. This process may take a week or a month or a year. Patience is the key to success. Placing the flask on a removable rack will make the whole process much easier and you won't have to handle the flask to remove it from the water bath.

If you start to see a green tinge on the copper your water is not clean enough, you will have to use distilled water if that's the case.

Once you think you have gotten most, or all, of the residue from the inside shine a bright light into the flask in a very dark room. Look for pinholes and areas where you can see some light through the metal. If the flask shows no light and the gunpowder residue is gone you can move on to final conservation or restoration. You will have to decide which you want to do because the copper will continue to deteriorate if you just leave it in it's current state.

Lots of great info/instructions! Curious, did you major in Chemistry?

 

[Ole man Digger]

This is unbelievable this might be my most precious relic yet. I didn’t have much time I went on my lunch break because I saw this stream that runs through my town and normally it’s got a lot of water in it but it hasn’t rained in a while and I saw some rocks so I went for it. I saw lotta broken glass, blue white shards and a lot of iron and then I pulled up this NOT A DING ON IT!!! How can one man be so lucky? The Lord is good

Very sweet find of a lifetime

 

[Clay Diggins]

Lots of great info/instructions! Curious, did you major in Chemistry?

No, that's not one of my majors but I've worked with several major museums and high end auction houses. The former conservator at the Met was my best friend, we had a lot of fun with some of the goodies there.

 

[Gare]

Maybe someone knows. Did the soldiers carry a Powder flask during the revolutionary war or war of 1812 ? I think during the civil way they charges were wrapped in paper and carried in a leather pouch type container

 

[WannaDig3687]

Awesome find and we’ll deserved banner. I hope you have success in repairing and preserving.

My queen just passed away two months ago from Covid I haven’t done much Detecting but I guarantee you she had something to do with this It was too perfect I shove my hand in this water and gravel I just pulled this thing up in all it’s glory no model on it now I have an aerobic clean it it came out just like that it’s mine blowing

I’m glad you said that. I was thinking the same thing.

 

[AlluvialFan]

No, that's not one of my majors but I've worked with several major museums and high end auction houses. The former conservator at the Met was my best friend, we had a lot of fun with some of the goodies there.

Wow! Sounds like fascinating work! If I ever find anything even half as good as Truth, I know who I’m reaching out to for advice!

 

[Truth]

The flask is fixed and it came out more beautiful than ever. I learned where I messed up was for some insane reason I thought it’s screwed so I was trying to twist it hindsight I knew nothing screwed back then rookie mistake. I’ve always had to learn the hard way

 

[Jose The Goon]

The flask is fixed and it came out more beautiful than ever. I learned where I messed up was for some insane reason I thought it’s screwed so I was trying to twist it hindsight I knew nothing screwed back then rookie mistake. I’ve always had to learn the hard way

Truth, as to;
" I’ve always had to learn the hard way, "
I have been there & done that many times myself ! I'm sure many others T'hers here can say the same. We are always learning new
methods & ways of going about saving an old piece of history.
You did a great job all-around. First you found & saved it. Then you restored it very nicely. Congrats !!!
I added a second image to commemorate your great find & restoration. CHEERS !!!

 

[crashbandicoot]

Well done,Truth.

 

[Truth]

Truth, as to;
" I’ve always had to learn the hard way, "
I have been there & done that many times myself ! I'm sure many others T'hers here can say the same. We are always learning new
methods & ways of going about saving an old piece of history.
You did a great job all-around. First you found & saved it. Then you restored it very nicely. Congrats !!!
I added a second image to commemorate your great find & restoration. CHEERS !!!
View attachment 2005588

Jose I love how you do that for me visually shows me the journey I’ve been through with the mistake of learned a lot from but all is well and again I appreciate you doing a fantastic job of presenting it to meI love it and I appreciate you my friend

 

[ecmo]

First time in awhile I logged into T-net truth and the very first posting I see is of you with another fantastic find. Congratulations old buddy. Also so very sad to hear about the queen. Don