I kinda need some info...I have a horn of which the plug for the spout no longer fits tightly. No Problem with me making a new one but it appears that the hole for the plug has no taper to it whatsoever. Was wondering if I took a rat tail file and sort of chamfered the begining of the hole or...got one of those tapered drills and gave the hole a true taper...which would be the better to do? Also...from what I have seen on Ebay..those buffalo horns..those critters like an antelope..the horns are not attached to the skull? Or...are they not buffalo horns at all? Reason I am asking is I kind of would like to make a powder horn out of one..but they seem awfully thin and have my doubts as to the strength or longevity of them. Comments?
horn spout
- Thread starter oomcurt
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Scott Sibley suggests in his book that you do it this way;
"Grind sharp edges on the tang of a 10" file. You must be careful not to be too agressive as you might split the horn"
I have used this method and it works great.
:: Can't help ya with the buffalo horn question, ain't never worked on one ( Buffalo ain't too plentiful here on the east coast :
Soggy
Oom...depending on just how loose the plug is, you might want to try rubbing it with bees wax...it might build up enough to make the fit OK...I do not taper the spouts in my horns, but I do taper the plugs...don't know if it's true or not, but it is supposed to help if the plug expands through dampness...Hank
You don't need a taper in the horn if you use a very gradual taper in the plug. That's easier than trying to form two identical tapers, and the horn will eventually wear into the plug taper anyway. Just round the plug end a bit to make it easy to insert.
As Hank noted, leave the plug long and it will self-adjust for wear.
As Hank noted, leave the plug long and it will self-adjust for wear.
Buy a violin key, made of ebony or rosewood, already tapered
looks great, works great. Buffalo horns made great powder horns but
buffalo critters like an antelope, haven't seen any of those
but Musketman probably has a picture of one.
looks great, works great. Buffalo horns made great powder horns but
buffalo critters like an antelope, haven't seen any of those
but Musketman probably has a picture of one.
Obviously I misunderstand the problem, but if you get a horn thats not hollow then where do you intend to put the powder?
Even a cow horn is hollow. When cut off a cows head they contain a core but this core is removed which leaves a hollow horn.
Even a cow horn is hollow. When cut off a cows head they contain a core but this core is removed which leaves a hollow horn.
