Correct British War Department marked powder flasks are very hard to find so I was thrilled to acquire this. The British War Department purchased Beaumont Adams revolvers in both 38 and 54 bore from around 1856. The earliest revolvers were supplied though the firm of Deane, Adams & Deane so the type became known in the military as Deane's revolvers. However, the Deane, Adams & Deane partnership soon dissolved so most Beaumont Adams military revolvers were made by London Armoury.

This is very rare War Department and broad arrow marked powder flask made by James Dixon & Sons of Sheffield.   The flask is graduated to dispense between 4/8 and 6/8 drams of fine grain black powder which is the typical charge of the 54 bore Beaumont Adams revolver. 

In military use, the percussion Beaumont Adams revolvers were usually loaded in each cylinder with a cartridge which consisted of a greased lead bullet with a paper wrapped charge of black powder. A separate percussion cap was placed on each nipple to provide ignition. Due to the primary use of the cartridge, these powder flasks were not widely issued and were used primarily as a backup or by armourers. They were purchased from the trade and marked with the War Department and broad arrow W^D marking.

Note the similarity in the engraved War Department W^D marking on the powder flask and the Beaumont Adams revolver. Compare also with a War Department marked bullet mould HERE.

Further Reading

British Powder Flasks - 1700 to the Present Day, Ford & Bailey, Privately Published, 2023.

The Powder Flask Book, Riling, Bonanza Books, 1953.