Expert: Martin G Roberts - 3/15/2007

Question

Hi Martin
A friend has a flask with the words James Dixon & Sons, Sheffield on it. It also says "No 713" and has the trumpet and banner trade mark. The reverse side carries a solder's name and army details and is dated 1901.  We know the soldier was an Australian fighting in the Boer War.
Would it be possible to find out if many of these flasks were issued or it was just a single purchase.
Regards
Peter

Answer
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I cannot tell you how many were made, but they are common items, and it is not greatly surprising that one should have belonged to a soldier. However, it is very unlikely they were part of an 'issue' to troops - it was probably bought by or for the soldier in question. The date of 1901 is right for the marks.