Old Carved Powder Horn

[RSMorris]

Anyone here know anything about powder horns? I know none of my muskets would have used them but I saw this and it looked interesting to me. Can anyone tell anything about it?

 

[Booner]

First of all, I know next to nothing about powder horns, although I've made a few for my flintlocks. You might look over this website for better/more accurate information-->https://americanlongrifles.com

After looking at your pictures I'd be inclined to say that it is an original horn, but from what period, I can't say.
It looks to me like the maker either used a file or rasp to take the horn down and then used a scraper to finish it. I would think if someone made it in more modern times, they would have used sandpaper to finish it. The use of a rasp and scraper back in the day would have been appropriate. Also, how they cut the spout tip off looks like the used a rasp to even the cut up, rather than a smooth finish that I think someone who was making a reproduction horn would do. On the other end of the horn, what did they use to pin the wooden end to the horn? Wooden pegs would have been appropriate, and the wood itself looks like it has a good amount of age to it. The holes in the horn where the wood gets pinned in looks like they were countersunk by using something like a knife, rather than a drill, and perhaps the pins and wooden end are later additions/replacement to the horn. There's also some type of checkering, for wont of a better term, around this end of the horn which leads me to believe the wood and pins are not original.

So again, I think there's a very good chance the horn is original, or if it was made in more modern times, the person making it knew how they were made back in the day. But as I said, I know very little about horn styles, how to date them, etc.

What's the information you have on the horn.

 

[RSMorris]

There wasn't much, just that it was an old powder horn. Its gone now I missed the auction end. Thank you for the info though

 

[7thWisconsin]

That´s definitely an antique original horn. I´d date it in the early 1800s because of the raised nails holding the plug to the horn and the dark color of the horn itself. I think this one was commercially made from the style and condition of the plug. Of course, it could have been in use for 30 years or so. Nice horn. I had a very similar one once.

 

[Pollaco]

The first thing that caught my eye was the nails. Today most horns are constructed without the use of nails.Thorns and Bee's wax hold the plug in. In case of an accident you want the end to blow out behind you.Nails would only create the "hand grenade" effect.But personally I like brass nails

 

[DixieRifles]

The first thing that caught my eye was the nails. Today most horns are constructed without the use of nails.Thorns and Bee's wax hold the plug in. In case of an accident you want the end to blow out behind you.Nails would only create the "hand grenade" effect.But personally I like brass nails

I wasn't sure if those were pegs or nails. I thought nails were quite common but I need to start looking closer.

The quality of the craftsmanship is not that good. I'm no artist and I think my powder horn came out better than this one. Of course, I turned the plug with a lathe. Based on the quality, I would say it is not that old. Why would you retain an old powder horn that was not marked or not in good condition? I think it may date back to the early 1900's due to its age but nothing much older.
I'm not expert but just trying to use logic.

Here is an example of a powder horn made by current artist. Note the nails. This can be seen in the latest issued of MUZZLELOADER magazine.

 

[7thWisconsin]

In the 18th century, they used small nails that aren´t raised much from the surface. They get bigger after the turn of the century. Of course, even ¨back in the day¨ there were nice powder horns and cheap powder horns. I think I´d put this one at the lower end of the $$ scale. I wouldn´t date it any later than roughly 1850, though. Powder flasks took over their function, and the percussion revolution largely wiped out the need to carry loose powder for priming.

 

[RSMorris]

Did they use cartridges or powder horns in the War of 1812? I have a musket dated 1809.

 

[bobinwmass]

Cartridge boxes were used. Griffin Militaria currently has several from the period for sale.

 

[RSMorris]

Cartridge boxes were used. Griffin Militaria currently has several from the period for sale.

thank you, checking out the website now.

 

[bayonet]

In the 18th century, they used small nails that aren´t raised much from the surface. They get bigger after the turn of the century. Of course, even ¨back in the day¨ there were nice powder horns and cheap powder horns. I think I´d put this one at the lower end of the $$ scale. I wouldn´t date it any later than roughly 1850, though. Powder flasks took over their function, and the percussion revolution largely wiped out the need to carry loose powder for priming.

As a Rev War collector 2 things I avoid are Tomahawks and Powder Horns. With any collecting there are fakes out there. Got burned on a Tomahawk but lucky the Auction House took it back and to avoid them saying tough luck I said keep my funds for a future purchase. I've heard from many to be careful on Powder Horns and only deal with the "few" well known Dealers and Auction Houses out there. The best Horns are ones with etchings and carvings of Maps, dates, etc. but they go for $$$

 

[7thWisconsin]

As a Rev War collector 2 things I avoid are Tomahawks and Powder Horns. With any collecting there are fakes out there. Got burned on a Tomahawk but lucky the Auction House took it back and to avoid them saying tough luck I said keep my funds for a future purchase. I've heard from many to be careful on Powder Horns and only deal with the "few" well known Dealers and Auction Houses out there. The best Horns are ones with etchings and carvings of Maps, dates, etc. but they go for $$$

I have an original spike tomahawk and I etched a powder horn way back 40 years ago or so. Some old reenacting equipment could easily pass for a faked original without much help, just an unscrupulous seller.

 

[Booner]

... Some old reenacting equipment could easily pass for a faked original without much help, just an unscrupulous seller.

That was my first thought when looking at the powder horn.

Someone very knowledgeable about how they were made 100 years ago could easily make a fake using a file, knife, and a piece of glass (to be used as a scraper). And then all they have to do is "age it" somehow.

 

[cwbuff]

That style of butt is early to mid 1800s. The one pictured below with the flush end is an earlier style.

 

[RSMorris]

I've been thinking of adding one to my collection. But, don't want any fakes