Antique Horn

This small antique powder horn measures 11" long, as measured around the outer curve. The horn has a 1-1/4" long raised head.

The body of the horn has severe beetle damage and has a 2" long crack on one side. The 2-1/8" wide, flat butt plug is retained by metal pins and has a domed brass tack set into the butt. The plug is probably a later replacement.

The body of the horn is scrimshaw engraved with a series of folk art style animals including a lion, deer, boar, fox, fish, and others. The horn also has decorative engraved borders. The horn bears the date 1775, and next to it is another date 1807, probably commemorating events in the owner's life?

Copy and photos supplied by Track of the Wolf.

Original 17th-18th Century Leather Powder Horn

This is French, made of cuir boulli hardened leather, stamped with the initials L R on either side of a fleur-de-lis...presumably this stands for Louis Roy...aka, King Louie of France.

 

I have found only one other example like this in the Victoria & Albert Museum, that one is dated 1649. I believe they were both made in the region of Brittany in France as this was one of the few places outside of England where hardened leather vessels were ever made in the period. I found the original in an antique shop in Ponchatula, Louisiana in the early 90's. It is very possible this horn made it's way to the New Orleans area during the early French military occupation.

 

Missing is the powder dispenser tip. What remains in the throat of the horn is a threaded nozzle made of pewter. I believe this might have had a cantilevered style of nozzle that screwed onto the pewter throat, most likely made of pewter or other alloy that could not cause a spark. It's been suggested that this horn may have been a cannoneers' priming horn.

Copy and photos supplied by Steven Lalioff.

Jeff Cline Bag with Antique Horn Restored by Joe Mills

Photos by Jan Riser.

Old Horn with Leather Cover

Photographed at the 2010 Tennessee Kentucky Rifle show by Jan Riser.

Civil War Horn

Carved By A Civil

War Soldier While

At Libby Prison

Photographed at the 2010 CLA Show by Jan Riser.

Antique Horn

Photos supplied by Jim Hayes.