Unknown powder horn

[painter]

I bought a lot at an auction, and this little gem was included. It's a ship scene. I want to keep it to use. The rest of the lot isn't impressive. There's no attachment on the large end, and no plug on the small end.

Anyone have any thoughts, or information?

 

[oldwood]

I have this old time bi-color pen and ink drawing of two m/l hunters kneeling by a log , calling a turkey . the guy with the percussion long rifle had an old time canvas coat w/ big pockets . One pocket has the end of a powder horn sticking out of it. Looks a lot like the size powder horn shown above and the end plug has no strap staple. Could'a been circa 1850.
This one shown above has good old time construction and very nice old original patina. ...........oldwood

 

[user 48679]

My thought is: That's a darn fine powderhorn…...

It's easy enough to make up a staple from a twisted nail and a spout plug from a violin tuning peg/key

 

[painter]

Thanks for your input gents. I don't want to destroy any value this might have so I'm hesitant to add any hardware. The violin tuning peg is a great idea!

 

[S.Kenton]

Full length photos would be more helpful. Also a base plug photo.

 

[painter]

Full length photos would be more helpful. Also a base plug photo.

Here you go...

 

[S.Kenton]

My opinion is that this horn was probably made in the 1950’s or around that time period. The base plug has no wood shrinkage and the horn where it meets the base plug Looks to be in good shape. Also most master Horner’s of the day made thier base plugs so that when inserted would not expand the Horn. If you look at yours you can see where base plug is too large and expands the walls of the horn. Some of my early horns have this. Just some observations on my part and my opinion, still a great horn that I would be proud to own!

 

[Ames]

That expansion comes from heating the horn in oil and pushing it down onto a shaping cone. The idea is to round the horns out of round shape for easier plugging.
If you pick a cone with the wrong taper it bulges the butt if you push it too far.

 

[S.Kenton]

i shape the cones to fit the Horn I’ve selected to work with. If the horn starts to bulge, I go no further and pull it, then file the cone until the bulge is gone. When the bulge is indeed gone, then I push it all the way in.

 

[Grenadier1758]

I see what appears to be a small hole in the base plug and marks that might be from a staple.

Its a very nice horn.

 

[oldwood]

Good observation Grenadier........Could have a big head square cut nail with a strap attached.........oldwood

 

[Eric Bye]

Without the benefit of examining the horn in the flesh, I feel that this is a good antique horn, not a modern-day recreation. If it were mine, I would let it enjoy a long and well-deserved retirement. If you use this horn it will get scratched and dinged; why risk damage when modern-made horns with no historical value are inexpensive and easily available?
Some people feel that keeping a little bit of black powder in an old horn (with a stopper in place, of course) helps protect the horn from the insects that like to chew on the material. Otherwise the horn can be stored in a closed container.
Nice find! The horn has pleasing proportions, and even modest engraving is always a plus.

 

[painter]

Thanks everyone! @Grenadier1758, you are correct. There is a single hole in the plug, but it's round. There are no other marks, that I can see, that would indicate that a staple was used.

I guess I'll have to reconsider putting this back in service.

My opinion is that this horn was probably made in the 1950’s or around that time period. The base plug has no wood shrinkage and the horn where it meets the base plug Looks to be in good shape. Also most master Horner’s of the day made thier base plugs so that when inserted would not expand the Horn. If you look at yours you can see where base plug is too large and expands the walls of the horn. Some of my early horns have this. Just some observations on my part and my opinion, still a great horn that I would be proud to own!

The horn is indeed bulged.

 

[George]

That's a really neat horn, and the scrimshaw makes it special.

I got a small original horn years ago. It also had no spout plug and whatever method of attaching a strap there was is gone, now, leaving a hole. The butt end of the horn and the butt plug were obviously whittled out by hand with a knife, and it was fastened in with square nails. I decided not to attach a strap, just carry it in my pouch, and that has worked very well. I thought about a violin peg as a plug, but decided something more rustic would suit the old horn better, so I just whittled one out of a twig. I've been pleased with it.

Spence

 

[painter]

There were some other horns in the lot that were not in as good condition as this one, and one that appears to be more modern. That one has a plug that seems to be glued in like the horn was for display. One appears to be pretty old and has significant shrinkage of the base plug, and cracks around the small end. One apperas to be from a goat, and is missing it's plug. Maybe I should try my hand at sprucing some of these up.

If anyone is interested I can post photos of them.

 

[S.Kenton]

I’d like to see them, I love old horns... even modern horns.. well any horns for that matter! I enjoy making and repairing old horns, its relaxing to me. So seeing original horns and modern horns that others have made keeps the ideas churning!

 

[oldwood]

Please post some photo's. Wish I had that technology to post some...........oldwood

 

[painter]

I made a Google album...hope it works.

If anyone wants more detailed pics, just let me know. I'm happy to have comments from those more knowledgeable than me.

https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipMg2Fy0xycgqv7S75PFyo93WnKL82T_uqbNaEOQ

 

[toot]

I bought a lot at an auction, and this little gem was included. It's a ship scene. I want to keep it to use. The rest of the lot isn't impressive. There's no attachment on the large end, and no plug on the small end.

Anyone have any thoughts, or information?

depending on the legenth, it could very well be a DAY, POCKET HORN. they didn't need a staple to carry it as it was carried in the hunters pocket, or hunting pouch. not slung over the shoulder.

 

[painter]

It measures 7 3/4" along the long side, with no spout plug.