Black powder horn?

[Bunky15420]

I found this amongst brother's items at his estate sale. I've gotten many reactions from it being ivory to being a cattle horn. I'm interested in knowing exactly what it is (I'm assuming the 68 on it is 1968) and the initials are KK, and from what some have told me, it probably isn't ivory. It looks hand done, and I'm inquisitive in finding out where he got this and who may have made it? Also the value has been said to be from $20 to $200. I'm getting really confused here, as I'm just learning about these things! Maybe someone here can help?

 

[tenngun]

Could be ivory, have to see it for sure. Looks like horn as a repo of eighteenth century horns. Wood looks like walnut, or acid treated maple

 

[Mark Herman]

Beautiful horn but if it's ivory it's an awfully big piece! Think horn.

 

[user 48679]

If I could have my paws on it, I wouldn't care what it was made from, it's that nice...

 

[deermanok]

My guess would be cow horn. Beautiful piece. I'm sure you could get about 100 dollars for it, maybe more.

 

[user 49399]

It’s definitely worth more than $20.

 

[Bunky15420]

If it was made in 1968, it probably wasn't ivory. I wish I knew a way to tell; it's not very heavy. The whole thing weighs under 3 ounces.

 

[Grenadier1758]

I would assume its not ivory. Too many prohibitions on the sale of ivory. Very nice horn.

 

[Musketeer]

Looks like

KK
98

to me.

 

[mooman76]

I'm no expert but it seems to me Ivory would be allot heavier and the thickness would also make it heavier.

 

[dragnetbill]

I found this amongst brother's items at his estate sale. I've gotten many reactions from it being ivory to being a cattle horn. I'm interested in knowing exactly what it is (I'm assuming the 68 on it is 1968) and the initials are KK, View attachment 59842View attachment 59843and from what some have told me, it probably isn't ivory. It looks hand done, and I'm inquisitive in finding out where he got this and who may have made it? Also the value has been said to be from $20 to $200. I'm getting really confused here, as I'm just learning about these things! Maybe someone here can help? View attachment 59842View attachment 59842View attachment 59843View attachment 59842

Nice powder horn. It looks contemporary to me. You might try looking on the contemporary makers blog; somebody there might know who the maker is by the initials.

 

[Ames]

Do a search on the image. If it was photographed back when it was made and posted afterwards you will get your answer.

 

[andy52]

Some ivory is differently big enough to made a horn with but yours isn't ivory. Reason being ivory has growth rings like a tree and if it were shaped like that it would have a pattern similar to wood.
Yours has straight lines running from front to back and that's the way horns grow.

 

[Robby]

Why would anyone think it is ivory? From the pictures it appears to be a powder horn and very nicely done at that. I hope you find its history.
Robin

 

[Grenadier1758]

I'm sure it was suggested to be ivory because the horn was white. Also there is some sort of prevailing notion that scrimshawing is done on ivory.

 

[mooman76]

I'm sure it was suggested to be ivory because the horn was white. Also there is some sort of prevailing notion that scrimshawing is done on ivory.

Pretty much what I was going to say. Probably someone that never saw a horn in the white.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Think you are correct, @mooman76.

 

[JohnL]

Looks like a well made powder horn from a cow horn to me. Scrimshaw techniques have been applied to cow horn for hundreds of years to tell stories, identify the owner, create maps, etc. Soldiers and outdoorsmen sat around and scratched designs into the horn and then rubbed dirt or ink into the etchings to make them stand out. Is the marking with initials and date the “maker’s Mark?” There are some forums online with Master Horners and they could provide more information. It’s an interesting piece. I wouldn’t sell it, but you could get more than $100 with the right buyer.

 

[JohnL]

Here’s a powder horn that I made and scrimshawed from a cow horn for comparison.