Rights Holder: National Museums Liverpool
CC License: 
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
POWDER MEASURE
Unique ID: LVPL-B2A220
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A complete and misshapen cast lead cap for a powder measure of post-Medieval date (1600-1700). The cap was used for measuring a charge of gunpowder. It is squashed and misshapen possibly due to damage within the plough soil. Originally, the open end would have been circular or perhaps oval in plan. The open end has a slight rim and the sides tapered to the oval base. At each end of the base is an integral loop for attachment. There are no casting seems visible and the base is slightly concave. The object has a light white patina.
The loops enabled the cap to be attached separately to the bandolier (belt) of the wearer so that they could be removed without the possibility of being dropped and lost. The cap would have been part of a powder-charger or powder-holder, a small flask holding enough powder for a complete charge for the weapon. A series of these holders were attached to the bandolier. For information on small arms accessories of the seventeenth century, see: Courtney, P. 1988. "Small Arms Accessories of the Mid-Seventeenth Century". Finds Research Group 700 - 1700.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1600
Date to: Circa AD 1700
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 29 mm
Height: 16 mm
Width: 20 mm
Weight: 21.1 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Wednesday 27th January 2016 - Wednesday 27th January 2016
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Materials and construction
Primary material: Lead Alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: North West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Cheshire East (Unitary Authority)
District: Cheshire East (Unitary Authority)
To be known as: Middlewich
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: Centred on field
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courtney, P. | 1988 | Small Arms Accessories of the Mid-Seventeenth Century | Finds Research Group 700-1700 Datasheet 11 |
Similar objects
Find number: NARC-C482B5
Object type: POWDER MEASURE
Broadperiod: POST MEDIEVAL
A lead cap from a 17th century gunpowder holder. The holder is oval at the base measuring 28.5 x 18.8 mm. It measures 19 mm high with its wall…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: IOW-75D806
Object type: POWDER MEASURE
Broadperiod: POST MEDIEVAL
A complete and misshapen cast lead cap for a powder measure cap of post-Medieval date (1600-1700). The cap was used for measuring a charge of…
Workflow: Published
Find number: IOW-D9F3E6
Object type: POWDER MEASURE
Broadperiod: POST MEDIEVAL
A complete and misshapen cast lead cap for a powder measure of post-Medieval date (1600-1700).
The cap was used for measuring a charge of gun…
Workflow: Published
Timeline of associated dates
About Us
About our Site
Find us
The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG.
T: +44(0) 20 73238618