Correct brass tip for horn

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valerio

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Ok, my first post here.
I am making a powder horn but don't like the simple ones that doesn't have any type of spout to deliver constant measure of powder.
So, which would be a good design and properly accurate with the period???
photos are welcome
 
Realistically, while there were exceptions, the plain spout without any attachment is period and the measuring types you see today are not...
 
Using a horn/flask as a direct pour into the barrel is also quite unsafe. Using a tip of some sort with a mechanical gate to pour into a measure is fine, but not a direct pour into the barrel. "THE RIFLE SHOPPE" offers 2 or 3 different correct gated tips in brass, and maybe iron, but these do not do a measured pour, and should not.
 
Blackhand and Wick are 100% correct .... Those lever gated horn spout attachments were originally used on PRIMING horns for cannon. The button types were just an idea from the metal flasks! ...They might be PC for 1975 forward???..... USE A SEPARATE POWDER MEASURE!

Rick
 
Ok, so as far as I understand, any mechanical device is not accurate for the period.
So, my question makes a turn. How they did in the 18th century to deal with the loading process??
I might say "oh yes, they used a measure cup to pour the powder from the horn and then to the barrel" but do they did it that way back then or they poured an approximately amount of BP on their hands for speeding the process?
 
dragoon1849 said:
Ok, so as far as I understand, any mechanical device is not accurate for the period.
So, my question makes a turn. How they did in the 18th century to deal with the loading process??
I might say "oh yes, they used a measure cup to pour the powder from the horn and then to the barrel" but do they did it that way back then or they poured an approximately amount of BP on their hands for speeding the process?

1) Not true - there were period usage on horns as well as Flasks albeit not necessarily in the 18the Century but well before 1975.

Here's one example - Mariano Medina's horn from the mid 1800's.
Modena-horn-4.jpg


as to speed loading process - yes pouring powder into one's hand was one method that is well documented. And despite the inherent dangers pouring directly into the barrel is also documented - but the latter method was used only in matters of extreme and immediate danger. It's also not a method recommended especially today.
Typically for normal usage though a separate measure was used (well documented) and when practiced one can get quite speedy. No matter what though a BP longarm will never be considered fast to load.
 
There are a variety of powder measures available. I use an adjustable volume measure that has a funnel attached to aid in pouring the charge down the barrel. But, I also made a fixed powder measure out of an Antler. And I have dipper-style measure for my shotgun, that are used for measuring both powder and shot. You can make your powder measures out of wood, bamboo( a grass, really) metal tubing, plastic tubing, etc. Some are HC, and others aren't. Making a fixed powder measure for your gun from a piece of antler is fun- particularly if it comes from a deer you killed with your gun. :shocked2: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Then there are the English, and Irish Shot measurers that you can buy separately, or as part of a commercially made snake or bag. I have a game bag with the snake incorporated in the shoulder strap, but I also have an Irish measure that I bought, and put on a leather shot bag I made from Elk hide. I got carried away with that bag, and made it way too large, but it won't take much more work to reduce its size to a third of its current size, so that I don't have to hire a small boy to carry it for me into the fields! :haha:

For safety, always pour your powder from a larger source( can, powder horn, flask, etc.) into a smaller measure. Then close the larger source, to protect it from unintentional ignition from stray sparks.Finally, then pour the powder in the separate measure down the barrel.

Those gates a valves on those brass measures that are attached to some commercial powder horns can be easily compromised by condensed moisture causing a build-up of BP residue on and around the gate or valve. This eventually will prevent the gate or valve from closing properly( Hint: you will see powder dribbling out of the device after you thought you poured all the powder out of it! :shocked2: ).

That, then is a seriously dangerous situation, as the loose powder that might lay on a table or bench and go unnoticed, can be ignited by a stray spark, and the trail of powder will go right into that flask or powder horn, thru that open gate, or valve, turning it into a GRENADE!


I owned a well made replica powder flask sold by Navy Arms, years ago, with a spring loaded Gate made of steel plate. To clean that gate, you have to remove the entire "head" from the body of the flask, and you need small jeweler's screw drivers to get that done. Needless-to-say, It was several years before I got around to cleaning that gate. I did so after I found powder dribbing out of that flask when the gate was suppose to be CLOSED!{ And you wonder how I learn all these things? :idunno: :surrender: :hmm: }

I was horrified to see how much BP residue had stuck to both side of the gate, and to the groove in which it rode. LIke other new guys, I thought BP residue might gather in my gun barrel, but never gave a thought to what condensation might do to the powder in the flask. :shocked2: :( :shake: :idunno: :rotf: :surrender:

It didn't take much to clean off that gate, but I was not happy with that flask and its spring loaded gate for carrying something as volatile as Black Powder.

It now carries Corn Meal that I use as a filler in one of my guns. :bow: :v

My adjustable powder measure, bought years ago from a dealer named Timney, long gone, is cleaned along with my other gear when I return home from the range or from hunting. I don't bother taking the tarnish off the outside, but the inside is checked, and cleaned out, and the threads on the adjustment knob oiled.

Fixed measures only need to be wiped out, if they appear to need it. I might put some furniture wax on the outside of my measures made from antlers, just to keep them looking good. But, that's cosmetic- not anything necessary for safety. :hmm: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
 
Dragoon think of it this way. the farther you keep your hand n fingers away from the opening at the end of the barrel the safer you are. Placing your charge directly into the barrel from powder sitting in your palm your placing your hand directly over the barrel, if there is a hot spot down the barrel and the powder ignites unexpectedly your hand will bear the brunt of the damage ie. burns, damage to your hand etc. When useing a small measire only your finger tips will be near the barrel n maybe only your thumb n forefinger at that. They may get a good burn if the powder goes off but at least you don't lose your hand. Like others have said, loading from your palm was only used in externe cases n is frowned upon today. Loading directly from the horn isn't to smart either as the horn could go off like a granade doing magor damage to you. Speed may be fun but safety is what gets us home all in one piece. just some thoughts YMHS Birdman
 
AMEN to all of that. Speed of loading is not an issue as the gun is already loaded before going into the field. Second shots are not given in this game.
 
Ok guys, I have it very clear now, yeah I know safety is first and all that recommendations are welcome I promise I'll follow them as close as possible, I think I have made a decision now.
Thanks to all for your kindly help
as soon as I have finished my horn I'll post some pictures.
 
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