• This community needs YOUR help today. We rely 100% on Supporting Memberships to fund our efforts. With the ever increasing fees of everything, we need help. We need more Supporting Members, today. Please invest back into this community. I will ship a few decals too in addition to all the account perks you get.



    Sign up here: https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/account/upgrades

Down & Dirty Powder Horn

Muzzleloading Forum

Help Support Muzzleloading Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Joined
May 28, 2022
Messages
8,853
Reaction score
21,104
Location
Louisiana & My camp in Mississippi
I'm not presenting this as an example of the horn makers art, far from it. But a few weeks ago while antiquing with my wife I came across a little powder horn, or what was left of it. But it had a nice patina and a size that would make a nice day horn for a long walk in the woods. So, I bought it for $14 and decided to make a plain jane, knock about horn. This is what I started with.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20220924_185317.jpg
    IMG_20220924_185317.jpg
    87.9 KB · Views: 2
  • IMG_20220924_185441.jpg
    IMG_20220924_185441.jpg
    56.4 KB · Views: 0
  • IMG_20220924_185535.jpg
    IMG_20220924_185535.jpg
    58.5 KB · Views: 0
I turned a new end plug from Red Cedar and a spout plug from Crepe Mrytle, which is a very dense, strong wood for those that haven't tried it. I filed a groove around the throat for the front strap and reshaped the tip. Then took some scrap leather and made a strap. So for $14 plus stuff I had on hand I ended up with a functional powder horn. While it won't win any beauty contest, I hope it will encourage others to give horn making a try. The true craftsmen ship will come later if you stay at it. And while a wood lathe makes it faster, its not necessary if you take your time.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20220912_143934.jpg
    IMG_20220912_143934.jpg
    85.9 KB · Views: 0
  • IMG_20220913_170016.jpg
    IMG_20220913_170016.jpg
    73.1 KB · Views: 0
  • IMG_20220913_170131.jpg
    IMG_20220913_170131.jpg
    90.8 KB · Views: 0
  • IMG_20220924_132552.jpg
    IMG_20220924_132552.jpg
    33.6 KB · Views: 0
  • IMG_20220924_132512.jpg
    IMG_20220924_132512.jpg
    145.1 KB · Views: 0
Last edited:
That’s a nice horn! Something homemade and that well made beats store bought anytime.
 
There were more horns like this is the 1700/1800 then there were fancy ones. Good job (IMHO) My day horn, attached to my small day bag!
 

Attachments

  • Black Powder Stuff 3.jpg
    Black Powder Stuff 3.jpg
    3.2 MB · Views: 0
I'm not presenting this as an example of the horn makers art, far from it. But a few weeks ago while antiquing with my wife I came across a little powder horn, or what was left of it. But it had a nice patina and a size that would make a nice day horn for a long walk in the woods. So, I bought it for $14 and decided to make a plain jane, knock about horn. This is what I started with.
Nice horn, I wish it was mine!
 
We have a huge Crepe Myrtle bush with some long straight limbs. I have carved walking sticks and some turkey pot call strikers out of it and it holds detail wonderfully. Ive always wondered why I have hardly ever heard of people using it for stuff. Great looking horn!
 
We have a huge Crepe Myrtle bush with some long straight limbs. I have carved walking sticks and some turkey pot call strikers out of it and it holds detail wonderfully. Ive always wondered why I have hardly ever heard of people using it for stuff. Great looking horn!
I agree, it's a very strong wood. I've made one walking from it and done a few carvings with it too, holds details well. And I've turned it on the lathe with good results. Only downside is that the larger pieces tends to split badly while they're drying. Probably something I'm doing wrong.
 
Back
Top