*British, c.1830–1840, James Dixon & Sons Sheffield Leather Shot Flask with Brass Knuckle-Joint Lever Charger, Hanging Game Motif*
An attractive early Victorian leather shot flask by the renowned Sheffield maker James Dixon & Sons, featuring a finely embossed sporting motif of hanging game and fitted with a brass knuckle-joint lever charger. These leather sporting flasks were produced for muzzle-loading sporting guns and were widely used by Victorian game shooters, combining practical shot storage with decorative relief designs reflecting the sporting culture of the period.
The brass charger head is marked “DIXON & SONS” and incorporates the characteristic knuckle-joint lever mechanism used on early Dixon flasks to open the spring valve and dispense shot. The adjustable shot measure is graduated with ounce markings, including 1 oz and 1¼ oz, allowing the shooter to dispense consistent charges of lead shot for muzzle-loading shotguns.
The flask is constructed from moulded brown leather sewn along a central seam, the front decorated in raised relief with a traditional “hanging game” scene depicting a pheasant, grouse and hare suspended from a hook, with foliage and sporting elements below. Beneath the decoration the leather is clearly stamped “JAMES DIXON & SONS”, confirming manufacture by the well-known Sheffield firm. The leather neck is stamped near the neck with the characters “1B” over “2½”, likely a workshop or pattern mark used during manufacture rather than a shot charge indicator. The base retains the original iron suspension ring, allowing the flask to be attached to a shooting belt or game bag.
Approx. Measurements – Length: 21 cm. Width: 7.5 cm at widest point.
History Note:
James Dixon founded his Sheffield business in the early nineteenth century, with the firm becoming James Dixon & Sons in 1830 when his sons joined the company. Based first on Silver Street and later at Cornish Place, the firm became one of Britain’s leading manufacturers of sporting accessories including powder flasks, shot flasks, game carriers, hunting belts and other shooting equipment.
During the percussion sporting era of the early to mid-nineteenth century, such flasks formed part of a hunter’s standard equipment. While powder flasks carried the black powder charge, shot flasks like this example held the lead pellets used in muzzle-loading shotguns. Dixon products were exported widely, particularly to the American market, and their flasks were known for both quality and decorative designs. Similar leather sporting flasks are illustrated in Ray Riling’s The Powder Flask Book.
*Condition*
Good overall antique condition for a leather sporting flask of this period. The leather body remains structurally sound with visible wear, surface scuffs and some areas of finish loss consistent with age and field use. Minor cracking and lifting of the leather finish is present around the shoulder area near the brass collar, and there is age-related wear along the stitched seam. The embossed decoration remains clear and attractive. The brass charger shows a pleasing aged patina with light surface wear. The suspension ring is present. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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