Buffalo Horn

[Keppy]

I just got this Buffalo horn and I would like a opinion on it before I start anything. I have never done a powder horn but would like to learn on this. That is if this horn is worth starting on. I got this from a guy that had raised buffalo and this was from a skull that he had. I don't know how old it is but you can see that it has some cracks or flaking. The cracks are surface cracks not all the way through. It is thick and heavy. Not sure if these pictures can tell you anything. But your comments will be appreciated.

 

[Hawken12]

ya gotta beaty there ,diamond in the rough ,mind ye.I think ye'll find she'll make a beauty.,Now the bumps toward the butt ,ye can either work with em,or file em ,out later,git ta scrapin .I use my knife on edge ,ya can use a piece of glass,too,ya gotta git that scale off,first ,(just like a woman ,ya never really kno whats under the skirt til ya git it off'n her.

 

[omarick1948]

Hacksaw,
The easiest and best way, I have found to smooth and shape a rough buffalo horn, like you have,..is to set aside your files and scrapers for awhile and grab my Porter-Cable Rotary Sander with 80 or coarser grit disc and sand the whole horn down to the "ready to file and scrape" stage!...I would never use an electric sander on cow horn, but I have no problem using it with Buffalo horns.

Now I know, that it's not PC for the purist of heart, but it sure is quicker on buffalo horn due to the coarse hair fiber make up of the bison.

Using hand tools or an electric sander, you will also note the pleasant aroma of the buffalo horn while working it! :shocked2:

Just my two nd a half cent worth!

Rick

 

[stromst]

I agree with Rick. It is much faster to get down to the usable part of the horn on Bison horns with a little help from power tools. In my opininon if the craftsman from the old days would have had electricity they would have used it too. :grin:

 

[ladysmithtrading]

I concur with the fellas, if you dont have a sander, get the biggest, nasty rasp you have and get at it across the grain, that nasty scale comes off pretty quick with a ferriers rasp!, make sure you post some pics of the stages as you go, think she'll be a beauty!

 

[ricktwin]

I just got this Buffalo horn and I would like a opinion on it before I start anything. I have never done a powder horn but would like to learn on this. That is if this horn is worth starting on. It is thick and heavy. Not sure if these pictures can tell you anything. But your comments will be appreciated.

From my experience, it looks to me, and it's hard to know from photos, that this was probably a cow buffalo and not a bull. The female's horns tend to be slimmer and don't have much open area in the butt end. They are a lot heavier due to the dense and longer tips than the bulls. The bulls horns tend to be bigger around at the base and usually have a sharper curve. That said, any horn is a good one to start on. If you don't take the first step, you'll never get anywhere. The advice on filing and sanding down this horn is a good one. Buffalo can be filed, sanded and buffed to a high gloss, almost like plastic, if that's the look you want. I've done several and scrimmed them, using white india ink to fill in and it looks great. You may have a tough time getting through the plug end, since cow buffalo horns are solid a long ways down. Be patient and do a little at a time and you should be okay. It'll make a dandy first horn and you should learn a lot!

Ron

 

[Allan Gray]

Before you do anything, get that ladybug out of there! :haha:

 

[Keppy]

Before you do anything, get that ladybug out of there! :haha:

Yes I blew him out last night after I seen the picture of him inside the horn. :grin:

I would like to thank all of you for your comments and I will take pictures as I go along with the sanding and etc. I do think that it may be a cow horn instead of a bull. It narrows very fast and is very heavy at the point. There isn't much room for powder. Its going to be a new experence for me. I had a web site that took you through the procedure of making a powder horn. Will try to find it again. Again thanks

 

[Allan Gray]

Looking foward to watching your project unfold.
I'm thinking of doing a powder horn build myself while I plan my next rifle project.

Best of luck to you!

 

[Keppy]

To all.Opinions and comments Please. I have been reading that if you boil the horn its easier to work with. :redface: This horn was on an old skull so it seems to be clean. I did get rid of the bug. :rotf: As I said before this is all new to me so I will be asking some crazy questions sometimes. Thanks

 

[Hawken12]

I wouldn't boil it ,If it still had the plug ,you have to (do not do this in a house you still want to live in).No reason too,otherwise.

 

[Hawken12]

Well the guys ,are sayin power,I've used it .but to apreciate what power tools can do ,to me ya should still scrape it down by hand,so on yer next one ,you'll beware of the texture of the horn and them Damn thangs is hard to hold ,horns an power tools.

 

[omarick1948]

Well the guys ,are sayin power,I've used it .but to apreciate what power tools can do ,to me ya should still scrape it down by hand,so on yer next one ,you'll beware of the texture of the horn and them Damn thangs is hard to hold ,horns an power tools.

Hawken12,..when I said Rotary Disc Sander, I was talking about a vibrating sander with the round disc that slowly rotates to help keep the surface of the sanding disc clean....not a grinder.

I have no problem with someone wanting to take the time to scrape a Buff horn, and I use my 21st Century Sander only on very rough and scalely Buff horns.....I confess also to not use a candle or lantern light while workin at my bench evenings.....Just kidding! :wink:

 

[FPDoc]

You may have enough "spare tip" to make a powder measure or touchhole pick/pan brush handle.

 

[Hawken12]

I hear ya horner,NP,just his first horn an it would give him perspective.Hell I've used a dremel,to git that scale off,what ever I can to git to the good part.I like yer work by the way.

 

[omarick1948]

Good point Hawken!...Just trying to give him a little short cut for work'n Buff!.. Like your work also!...Thanks!