Cane powder measures

[patriot59]

Hey everyone,

I've been looking for something a bit different for my shooting bag.
I recall reading about cane powder measures.
Purchased a bamboo fishing rod for 3.99 and cut it into various sections.

works very well, my measure hangs off of my horn, the new "cane" measure is very light and does not bounce about with every step.
Anyone ever seen an original cane measure?

Also I have attached my powder horn to my shooting bag strap. have seen reference to this style for American revolution period.

Any info would be appreciated. Thank you

 

[boar]

I have cane growing in my front yard,up to 12ft high. I have used it for measures and alata arrows, If you need more I have plenty (free) And my buddy 12 miles away has a small type by his pond. Dilly

 

[patriot59]

Thanks Dilly,
Be seeing you at GTF?
I set up today, Adam set up also.
Lotsa of the Half Moon Rangeras will be there.

Pariot59

 

[fallaloosa]

I have seen an original probably Cherokee, measure made from cane and I have made several copied from it. Methinks cane measures were probably used quite a bit by Southeastern Natives.
It's easy to work with as you don't have to drill it, and can be made to any charge needed or wanted by simply dropping a little hot wax in the bottom till you get the desired charge size.

 

[Many Klatch]

If you have a large bore gun, it is nice to make the cane measure so that it will fit down inside of the barrel. That way if you ever have to load lying down or sitting in a canoe then you can be sure to get all the powder into the barrel.

You may want to reinforce the cane at the tip with linen thread and glue. Mine cracked after a couple of years and needed a patch.

Many Klatch

 

[mudd turtle]

Is your cane -River cane or bamboo. If it is river cane then I would like to get several sections and try my hand at makeing a cane measure. To my knowledge there is no river cain near me. I like to make Native American items as close to the real thing as possible. I have one question- Where would a Cherokee get wax to put in the bottom of his measure. mudd turtle.

 

[jgr1974]

River cane makes great arrows, and can also be used to make turkey calls!!!!

Send me some cane with dibberent sized sections, and I will make you a call in return!

The Mad Mick!!!

 

[silverfox]

Cherokee would use beeswax or river bottom clay to plug the cane until it would fit his powder charge. No problem and they make good looking measures.
Fox :thumbsup:

 

[mudd turtle]

Mad Mick. If I could send you some cane to make me a call -Would be outstanding but there is no cane near me so I am SOL- Some time ago I made a composite arrow from river cane and dogwood. A friend brought me the cane to work with. He has since moved out to california.How is a cane call made. mudd turtle

 

[mudd turtle]

Thanks silver fox- I can see where that would work.mudd turtle.

 

[Slamfire]

I used to carry cane rediloads, but the cane split and let the powder out into my shooting bag.

 

[jgr1974]

A turkey call can be made of cane very easily, just like that of a turkey wingbone call. The cane call actually requires less work!!!

Cut three different sections of cane, assemble from large to small like a telescope. adjust to find the right pitch tou like then mark and cut. the smaller ent to the bigger ones. I use epoxy, if you want to be historically accurate pine tar pitch should be use. Some folke then wrap the joints tightly with thread, I use artificial sinew. I then spray a nice coat of varnish onto the finished call. Decorate as you like!

Ok, That is how to make em-to instructions to use the call is $300 per 10 minute session...No just kidding! Put the small end in your mouth, yes some people I sold calls to used the large end, and cussed me when it did not work!!! tThe sound of his call is made by the vibration of youn lips on the tube of the call. Pucker your lips like you are sucking a thick milkshake through a straw and make a kissing sound. Possition your lips on different places of the tube,or make short or long "kisses" to vary the sound.

I hope this helps all!
The Mad MIck!

 

[fallaloosa]

Is your cane -River cane or bamboo. If it is river cane then I would like to get several sections and try my hand at makeing a cane measure. To my knowledge there is no river cain near me. I like to make Native American items as close to the real thing as possible. I have one question- Where would a Cherokee get wax to put in the bottom of his measure. mudd turtle.

Hey Mud Turtle, sorry it took me so long to get back to you on this one but it has been a busy couple months. Bamboo and river cane kinda look the same so I use whatever I can find. All I do is cut it to length, shape the spout with either a file and sandpaper or (yeah I know cheating) my rotary tool, and then shape a bottom part to drill the hole for a lanyard. In response to your question about the wax, I think someone beat me to it in that they would have used beeswax or even a little clay mud down in the bottom. I've made and used these for years and never had a problem with splitting or anything. I do put a bit of decoration on them and then finish it with would you believe.... brown shoe polish. I find this works well and gives a nice used but not too old looking finish. Or you could just leave it as it is and use it that way. I see you are from North Carolina? There should be some river cane in your area, just look around bodies of water and see if you can find some. hope this helps :v

 

[54ball]

North Carolina should have plenty of cane breaks. The wind makes an awlful noise as it blows through a cane break. Hence the old southern term "raising cane".
Native cane grows in wet swampy areas like along creek beds and in the bottom of draws and hollers ( hollows) fer yankees.
Kentucky is full of cane. Daniel Boone hid in a cane break from the Shawnee. He also used a piece of cane as a makeshift ramrod.

 

[tx-hunter]

use a cane powder measure i made. works great.

 

[mazo kid]

I guess you would call me a "Yankee", as I'm from up-nort'(Wis.)and they are "hollers here too. At least to us old timers. Emery

 

[paulvallandigham]

Remember that Cane is a grass, not a tree. The stalks shrink far more than wood will when it dries, and it continues to dry as it ages. Unless you seal the can with oil finishes, or wax, or both, you should expect to have to replace these every couple of years, depending on how dry the relative humidity gets either in the local air, or in your home. Winters, when we heat our homes, produce the driest conditions indoors for wood, and, obviously, grass. But, I have had cane fishing poles fail even when they were stored in an unheated garage when the winter temperatures were so cold, and the air so dry.

 

[dlemaster]

Muddturtle
Google up Arundinaria Gigantia.
You can learn everything you wanted to know about cane, and it will help you to learn where to look for it in your area.

Regards, Dave

 

[Mike 56]

Does any one have picture a cane powder measure i wood like to see what one looks like.

Thanks, Mike

 

[Claude Mathis]

Does any one have picture a cane powder measure i wood like to see what one looks like.

Think bamboo. :wink: