a little gourd project

[George]

I like gourds. I think the early Kentucky settlers found many uses for them, but references to them are scarce in my sources. I did find one in the 1775 journal of Wm. Calk who traveled to Boonesborough with Richard Henderson, the first settlers. He said his horse got scared, "threw Down the saddel Bags & Broke three of our powder goards." I've gotten good use from a couple of gourd canteens, 3-4 small containers for various stuff and a drinking dipper.

Yesterday I got bored, spotted an old long neck gourd and decided to put it to use. I cut the end off the neck, shortened the stem and drilled it, rounded up a cork for the open end, wrapped the stem with waxed flax twine against splitting, sanded and waxed the thing and wound up with a one-of-a-kind 'goard priming horn'. :grin:









It's only 2.5" x 1" and light as a feather. Might even work.

Spence

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

Very clever :thumbsup:

 

[onepaw]

cool idea...i made some water dippers that work well, ill have to try this one

 

[smo]

Now that's what I call "using your gourd!"
:redface: :shake:

Great project Spence. I'm sure gourds were used for lots of things back in the day. I'm surprised that there's not much documentation of the fact.

 

[mudd turtle]

Many months ago I posted about the same subject and felt put down a little. I live near Greensboro N.C. and close by is the battle ground of Guilford Court House. I often go there to look at the artifacts in the small museum where they have a powder gourd that was used by someone at the battle. I know Native Americans used gourds for many things and gourds were used by whites also. The argument was gourds are too fragile to use so they would not be used for storeing anything important. You were very crafty in makeing your priming horn from a gourd. I like the way you used the stem and the way you reinforsed the stem against breaking . Neat and well done. Glad to see someone eles useing the same materials I use for makeing useful items. Mudd Turtle.

 

[George]

The argument was gourds are too fragile to use so they would not be used for storeing anything important.

Yes, a common argument, but I've never found that to be a problem. I've been using gourds for a long time, and have never had one break, even though I give them no special care.

Spence

 

[mudd turtle]

THANK YOU SPENCE FOR THE SUPPORT AND BACK UP. Mudd Turtle.

 

[Jaeger]

I've said it before, Spence: I like yer stuff, and this project is no exception. And I agree with what Mudd Turtle said. Thanks for sharing your pictures.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Gee that's pretty nifty.

LD

 

[buford87]

You have done a very good job on your priming gourd. A few years ago I saw a gourd that had been carried at the battle of New Orleans as a powder gourd. I saw this gourd at the Tennessee state museum in Nashville. I would take this as proof that if they didn't have a horn they would use what they did have. Again very nice work..................watch yer top knot.............

 

[MSW]

way cool!

thanks for the post ... the cork is from a wine bottle?

 

[Rick Son]

I have one i got from an antique store,it's about 3 feet long,i was told it was a herders rattle for herding sheep,it painted white with alot of paint wear.