Horn Rum Kegs

[crockett]

Most of you know about horn rum kegs. I noticed some photographs of what I thought were rum kegs but there was only one peg in the top side. I did some research and found the MFT longhunter sketch book had these as containers for salt. Was the salt used for cooking? Making Jerky? or Hides? Were these type containers used for anything else?

 

[Stumpkiller]

I imagine horn containers were used for a variety of purposes. Crockery was too fragile, wood too bulky. Horn was a handy, non permiable and easily shaped container.

 

[Jack Walker]

I make both rum horns and salt horns. Most of what I have found shows the rum horn to be tapped in the side and corked. Salt horns may have the spout or tapped into the side as well. Longhunters would have carried a larger salt horn in order to carry a larger supply for cooking, salting hides etc.

 

[crockett]

Maybe it's just me but a rum horn sounds a H@$#$% of a lot more exciting than a salt horn.

 

[pepperbelly]

Hmmm, a salt horn. Here in Texas we could use a rum horn for tequila. All I would need is a lime horn and I'd be set.
Jim

 

[jrdavis]

every time I boil a horn to soften and that smell comes from the pot I wonder what the rum would taste like what it smells like?

 

[Jack Walker]

Well I am no longer allowed to "soften" horn in the house. The little women declared this when she handed me a hot plate. As for the taste, I generally take my rum norns and pour hydrogen peroxide in to them. This cleans the inner surface of the horn and therefore the rum, wiskey etc. is not effected. :thumbsup:

 

[jrdavis]

well then I'll try that...it does not leave any taste to flavor the rum. what size horn do you use?

 

[crockett]

Bull
How thin do you get the horn before putting in the plug? Buffalo horn seems to swell a lot and if you put the plug in too far the horn develops sort of a ring around the plug after the horn dries out. Cow horn doesn't seem to do this but the last one I made was fairly thick and didn't really soften or bend that much even after I boiled an hour.

 

[Jack Walker]

The size of the horn used is your choice. I don't take my rum horns down too thin, I like them thicker for strenghth since they are generally carried in a knapsac, bedroll etc.

 

[Griz]

After you are done with the building process. Melt beeswax and pour it inside and swish it around to coat the inside of the horn. Seals the end from water and gets your rum/salt/food from touching the horn.