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Another "Ames" Powder Horn Masterpiece!

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Imacfrog

50 caliber
Joined
Jun 11, 2020
Messages
146
Reaction score
142
Location
Maine
Wanted to add a flat horn to my growing collection of black powder paraphernalia and contacted forum member Ames at the urging of numerous members (as well as seeing his work posted on the forum). I requested a flat horn to use during whitetail season here in Maine (50 cal RB) and wanted a "fleur de lis" etched into the horn. The whole process working with Ames has been nothing but a joy and pleasure. He kept me apprised of the construction of the horn from start to finish and this time of year is not usually his "horn building season" (usually leaving that for the winter months)! The finished creation is nothing but a work of art!

Here is his description of the horn:
This one is 10" along the outside curve and holds 1500 grains of 3f. I loaded it with 20 .490 balls, although it will dispense easier if you stop at 16 or 17.
Gunstock curly maple, grade 5.
About 1 3/8" thick, needed that width to drill in the 5/8" hole for the balls and still have wood around it.

I have used his pictures as they are better than anything I might take .His claim was that the pictures do not show the full beauty of the horn and he is absolutely correct!

If you're thinking of having a custom horn made by a true gentleman, artist, and craftsman; you may want to start by contacting Ames!

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Beautiful work! You have an instant heirloom that you can be proud to carry.
 
That is a masterpiece! Thanks for posting!

Looks like it's set up for left side carry, with right-handed flintlocks. Interesting!

I like that ball compartment in the butt, with the pivoting cover. Is there a latching mechanism to prevent accidental opening?

Again, thanks for showing your new horn. It is a functional beauty!

Notchy Bob
 
That is a masterpiece! Thanks for posting!

Looks like it's set up for left side carry, with right-handed flintlocks. Interesting!

I like that ball compartment in the butt, with the pivoting cover. Is there a latching mechanism to prevent accidental opening?

Again, thanks for showing your new horn. It is a functional beauty!

Notchy Bob
Actually, it fits perfectly inside my possible bag (don't want it to get scratched! LOL). Always carry my other horn on the left and shoot right. Stays out of the way and more comfortable!
 
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Thank you. I carry left and shoot right also. I want that half pound of powder on the other side of my pan sparks. Overly cautious I'm sure, but safe.
Flat horns, as a primer........ heat them in boiling water and squish them a little flatter than they were. Two pieces of plywood and hand screws work well. After they cool, cut a rough form to slip inside them. 5/4 decking works nice. Now take the horn and give it the hot oil bath to the point its very pliable. Slip the 5/4 form inside and press it flat again. You can go down to 3/4" if you must. Some days are better than others.
Want some fun? Try banding a flat horn! :p
 
I like that ball compartment in the butt, with the pivoting cover. Is there a latching mechanism to prevent accidental opening?
Two threads on the post of the antiqued finial. The fine threads hold the ring to the outside maple butt. The coarse threads screw into the inner maple. When turned to the right it stops on contact. Turned to the left it unscrews (opens). Friction can be adjusted with vise grips to the screw after removing the cover.
As a failsafe the ball dispensing hole is on the upper part of the curve, so even if you didn't notice it had opened accidentally it wont leave a trail of lead in the woods.;)
 
I Bought one of those and a more traditional horn he listed on here earlier this year. They are very nice. The flat horn is a nice design for sure.
 
Thank you. I carry left and shoot right also. I want that half pound of powder on the other side of my pan sparks. Overly cautious I'm sure, but safe.
...
I have observed that as a right handed shooter, shooting with a cross the body hold, my flint lock would be directly over a left side powder horn.

When I am shooting in uniform and carrying the belly box, I have a leather flap covering the cartridges. My cartridge pouch is carried on the right side and my body is between the flint lock and the cartridge box.
 
Thank you. I carry left and shoot right also. I want that half pound of powder on the other side of my pan sparks. Overly cautious I'm sure, but safe.
Flat horns, as a primer........ heat them in boiling water and squish them a little flatter than they were. Two pieces of plywood and hand screws work well. After they cool, cut a rough form to slip inside them. 5/4 decking works nice. Now take the horn and give it the hot oil bath to the point its very pliable. Slip the 5/4 form inside and press it flat again. You can go down to 3/4" if you must. Some days are better than others.
Want some fun? Try banding a flat horn! :p
As noted, some days are better than others when it comes to making a flat horn. I don't know if there's a difference between cow and buffalo but I have seen cow horn that still has a bit of memory even after the boiling and hot oil forming/flattening process.
 
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