Walker flask worthwhile?

.38 Special

.38 Special

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I've gotten all fizzed up about the Walker. I was in my early twenties last time I had one, and fairly ignorant - though I sure had a lot of fun! I'm looking forward to my new one - which is currently being sorted out by Goon - in a way I have not experienced in years.

I also had a Walker flask, which I never could get to work. It may have been defective, but probably I was just too dumb. It's lost to the sands of time, and now I'm wondering if I should buy a new one and would love to hear from anyone with experience, good or bad.
 
The reproduction "Walker" flask is similar to the "Zouave" flask, except (1) it has an adjustable "push" type spout, (2) the attachment points for the sling are lower, so it would be carried upside down, (3) the embossed design is different, and (4) it's about $30 more expensive ($80 versus $50).

Considering how rare the originals are, it's evident that they weren't much used. But at least they aren't entirely bogus like the "Zouave" flasks. The 1863 Remington rifles were never issued with flasks (paper cartridges were used exclusively by that time). Actually, the Remington "Zouave" rifles weren't issued at all. They went directly into storage.

ETA: Here's how the so-called "Zouave" flask would have been used. This flask/bullet pouch combination design dates from the 1830's, and perhaps overlapped with the early days of the M1841 "Mississippi" rifles. But this arrangement was quickly superseded by the standard cartridge pouch.

IMG_0146a.jpg
 
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I used a Walker flask with my horse pistols in my bp days. The charge adjustments are graduated in 10gr. increments with the starting ( least amount) being 20gr. Then it adjusts by 10 to a 60gr max. If I remember correctly, you can "fine tune" the charge by screwing the "plunger" in or out and measuring the charge.
The flasks also have a ball magazine but I can't remember how many it will hold. I modified mine ( extended it) to hold 6 conicals. I also decided to add a cap magazine as well. It holds 18 caps.
Here are some pics :
20230324_192606.jpg
20230324_192909.jpg
The above setting is for a 60gr charge.

20230325_091737.jpg
This is the plunger that plugs the spout when not in use ( and can be adjusted for depth when spout is closed). You can also see the door for the ball magazine.

Here's mine with the mods I mentioned:

20230324_195013.jpg

One other useful mod was to make a "wing screw" to replace the tiny screw that allows the charge adjustments.

20230324_234012.jpg

Hope this helps with some understanding.

Mike

By the way, here's what charging looks like:

20230325_102231.jpg

Plunge to charge:

20230325_102414.jpg

and there ya go.
 
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I never had a Walker flask but I did have a traditional flask. I'm sure there's better made ones. I don't baby my stuff and the first dent I got in it it split at the seam. I've been using an old solid brass round CVA flask ever since.
 
I don't know if Goon fixed his to work right or not.

People in the old days (especially soldiers) didn't like this flask and it did not last on the market so yea they are scarce.

They had a lot of deal breaking (life threatening in action) quirks affecting it's ability to work (unreliable.)

I can't remember ever reading a good review from someone who tried using the replica as a primary go to powder flask. It probably is just as bad or maybe worse than an original.

I am sorry I don't have much to add other than I passed for these reasons when considering buying one.

I love the looks. The way it functions looks good on paper but experienced black powder users who tried them have found out otherwise,
 
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hawg said:
I never had a Walker flask but I did have a traditional flask. I'm sure there's better made ones. I don't baby my stuff and the first dent I got in it it split at the seam. I've been using an old solid brass round CVA flask ever since.
Click to expand...
My cylindrical CVA flask is all I have ever used. I got it in about 1985. I replaced the spring once.
 
I typically stayed away from the cylindrical flasks because they are not traditional but i found some for a good price. I was worried the longer one wouldn't fit in my possibles bag but it fit in there just well. The only weak point might be the threads can screw too easily on some
 
grter said:
I don't know if Goon fixed his to work right or not.

People in the old days (especially soldiers) didn't like this flask and it did not last on the market so yea they are scarce.

They had a lot of deal breaking (life threatening in action) quirks affecting it's ability to work (unreliable.)

I can't remember ever reading a good review from someone who tried using the replica as a primary go to powder flask. It probably is just as bad or maybe worse than an original.

I am sorry I don't have much to add other than I passed for these reasons when considering buying one.

I love the looks. The way it functions looks good on paper but experienced black powder users who tried them have found out otherwise,
Click to expand...

Well, what's funny is mine works fine. Some folks just don't do well with mechanical things (I would bet that a lot of folks that owned them didn't even know they were adjustable). That's why I took the time to make the mods I did. Another mod I made and didn't show was my own graduation settings.
Those shallow holes you see in the above photo show the graduations in 10gr increments . . . I added a couple to mine for 45 and 55gr charges.

Mike
 
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Heir Kommt Die Sonne said:
I typically stayed away from the cylindrical flasks because they are not traditional but i found some for a good price. I was worried the longer one wouldn't fit in my possibles bag but it fit in there just well.
Click to expand...

I use the CVA flask like you and Hawg, but I shortened mine by about 1/3rd. Fits in a little belt pouch perfectly and holds way more powder than the amount of ball or bullets I carry. Don't care about traditional, but I understand about traditional. Maybe not enough powder for plinking or paper punching.

With a variety of spouts, I can use it with all my pistols. 20 grain spout for the '62/Little Brat, 24 for bullets in my Remington New Model Army in Navy caliber, 30 for under a bullet in the 1860, or ball in the Remington, and 38 grains for the 1860 under a ball.
 
Ugly Sauce said:
I use the CVA flask like you and Hawg, but I shortened mine by about 1/3rd. Fits in a little belt pouch perfectly and holds way more powder than the amount of ball or bullets I carry. Don't care about traditional, but I understand about traditional. Maybe not enough powder for plinking or paper punching.

With a variety of spouts, I can use it with all my pistols. 20 grain spout for the '62/Little Brat, 24 for bullets in my Remington New Model Army in Navy caliber, 30 for under a bullet in the 1860, or ball in the Remington, and 38 grains for the 1860 under a ball.
Click to expand...
Ugly, just what little belt pouch are you using. Have been looking for a small one for my cap & ball revolvers. Yours sounds like just what I'm looking for.
 
1KPerDay said:
My cylindrical CVA flask is all I have ever used. I got it in about 1985. I replaced the spring once.
Click to expand...

The cylindrical flasks are an eminently practical design. I think mine is a CVA but don't recall for sure, and the only marking is "TAIWAN" on the base. It might be a Traditions.

I've really come to like a flask as a powder dispenser. I used my Peace flask fitted with a Treso free flow spout on the last couple woods walks I shot in, to dispense powder into my measure. It's quicker and easier to fill the measure from the flask than my powder horn because the flask's hole is larger. A buddy of mine uses one of the cylinder flasks on the woods walks because it's easy to carry in his shooting bag or pocket.
 
DSC07685.JPG
DSC07686.JPG
This originally came with a small/little pepper-spray thingie. I do not remember what brand.
remnvyotft.jpg
One can also make a small horn-flask and hang it over-the-shoulder, which is quite handy. Of course a much nicer job could be done than what I made here. This works quite well.
 
My CVA flask doesn't say where it was made that I can find. I bought it in 1980 so I presume it was made in Italy.
 
1KPerDay said:
Maybe Spain too. My cva rifle was Spanish I believe.
Click to expand...

All CVA guns are Spanish except the very early Mountain Rifles which were made here. The early powder flasks were made in Italy and the later ones made in Taiwan. I do not know when they made the switch,
 
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