How to put a spout on a horn

[Sparkitoff]

I have a nice scrimshawed horn. It has a wooden plug on the pointy end. How do I install a measure on that end instead? Ideally I would like a measure with a valve like is common on brass or copper flasks, so I can dispense a known amount of powder. If not possible, at least a spout that can open and close. Thanks

 

[Grenadier1758]

Personally, I like this one from Track of the Wolf.
https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/81/1/HVP

It has the spout to pour the powder into a measure. I just don't like pouring from a measure attached to a horn directly into a barrel.

Muzzleloader Builder's Supply has one that can be attached to a can 32390 or bushed onto the horn and a measure is placed on the end and then poured in the barrel. You do have to make an adjustment for the space taken up by the nipple on the shout
http://www.muzzleloaderbuilderssupply.com/mbs3cart/agora.cgi?cart_id=5823737.7772&product=Measures&Cappers

Then there is the valve offered by Jedediah Starr Trading Company. You can put most any measure inside the mouth of the valved spout to take the powder from the hon to the barrel. I don't have this one but I may have to get one.
https://www.jedediah-starr.com/closeup.asp?searchWord=valve&pid=806&offset=0

My version of the Muzzle Loader Builder's Supply is on the left with the mated measure.

My horn has the Track spout and I use a separate measure to take the powder to the barrel.

 

[Artificer]

Sparkitoff,

Very important things to consider are:

Is there enough thickness of horn to drill it for some spouts to go into the horn and the horn too thin afterwards where it would easily crack there? If so, don't forget to at least slightly roughen the horn and part of the spout that goes into the horn so the epoxy will stick well, if you are going to use glue.

If not, is there enough diameter of the horn to add even a small flask head?

There were spouts on Artillery horns in the 18th century that had brass cones applied over the ends of the horns with a spring loaded shut off, but I'm not sure if anyone is making a "ready made" copy of that sort of thing.

A word of caution: Most of the original horns that had flask heads or other spouts were planned ahead and made for the spout, you may not be able to do that with a horn that has already been made, unless you make some kind of custom made head/spout.

Gus

 

[L Rupp]

Can you post a picture of the horn ( easy for some,not so for others) so we can see what you have to work with ?

 

[bang]

I have a valve in mine but considering I pour the powder in a measure to put the load in the barrel kind of makes a valve an unnecessary item. It looks good but I'm sure after a while I'll be corkin it.

 

[Sparkitoff]

Here’s what I have....

 

[Sparkitoff]

This is the plug....

 

[Grenadier1758]

You have the room for a brass bushing. I would recommend the Jedidiah Starr External valve. You will probably have enough thickness of your horn to reduce to the diameter of the valve.

Its a Treso brand valve so other dealers should carry it.

 

[Sparkitoff]

Thanks

 

[Mad Irish Jack]

As Grenadier1758 says, that valve is what I put them on 3 horns about 30 years ago. I did the same thing you'd do to any add-on item., I got out the tap'n'drill set. I did the same as if I was sizing and fitting metal hole and making the bolt. Just go slow and steady when tapping the horn so you DO NOT split the horn. I wrapped the top of the horn with a thin piece of leather and applied a hose clamp SNUG (Not tight) to help keep pressure, to hold up to the drill and thread cutters pressure. Drill the hole first make the guide hole, then the proper size for the thread cutter. Cut threads, 1/8 turn at a time, It seems slow work but is effective, then back off, and go, and back, and go, slow. After about half way to the thread depth for the valve; Start the valve for thread fit so you're confident on the cut.
I load my guns from a measure that I fill from a horn. NEVER pour from a horn into the barrel. Bad, potentially, deadly habit.