How to clean Horn?

[Tinker2]

Not trying to highjack, this is a (how to repair a powder horn question) so here goes

I have a powder horn that I really like that I have had for maybe forty years.
In the late 70’s after a hunt I put on the seat of my pickup and then set on it.
Nice fresh break not sure on the glue I used, maybe a thin super glue. Looked good.

Next year after a hunt I put it on the seat of my pickup and then set on it once more.
I have not set on it again, maybe I am learning. So time to fix it.

The question is how to clean it. I still use it with the split in it so it has lots of crud in it

The horn is 10 inches long and the split is 6 inches long, in the middle of the horn.
Both ends are not split and are in good shape.
It is a nice light gray color with a matching primer, thin enough to see how much powder is in it.

Any help is greatly appreciated.



William Alexander

 

[Black Hand]

I dropped my full horn onto a concrete floor and cracked it. The crack extended from the base plug into the body of the horn for about 4 inches. I cleaned the edges of the crack with acetone and used superglue - I wrapped the horn with artificial sinew (superglue won't stick to the waxed cord) to keep the crack closed while the glue set. I then scraped the excess glue from the surface, sewed rawhide around the horn and waxed the wrap after it had dried/shrunk. This repair has held for many years without any issues.

In your case I'd do the same, though I'd clean the crack with water first to dissolve any powder residue, then clean with acetone (will dissolve/remove old superglue) and proceed to superglue.

A period repair might also include staples.

 

[BrownBear]

The question is how to clean it. I still use it with the split in it so it has lots of crud in it

Dunno about what kind of crud you collected, but on new builds I put a few tablespoons of lead shot in a horn, cover the ends and give it a good shaking. Sure removes the scale and anything else in there.

If your crud is more to the goo side, I'd consider doing the same with some soapy water. Of course, with that split in it you might want to wear a raincoat! :grin:

 

[Tinker2]

Now that is exactly what I wanted to know.
I am not a fan of super glue on guns but was planning to use it on the horn.
Most likely a thin super glue maybe if I can close the gap in the split.
If I can’t close the gap then was thinking of epoxy. Yes, no, maybe?


Thanks
William Alexander

 

[BrownBear]

Talking out my hind end here because I've never tried it, but with a split like that I wonder about some kind of wrap amidships to pull and hold the horn into shape while stabilizing the crack. Could be anything from rawhide to a decorative band. Then it would just be a matter of sealing the crack with beeswax.

 

[Black Hand]

If I can’t close the gap then was thinking of epoxy. Yes, no, maybe?

I've not used epoxy on a horn, so I can't say. I like superglue because it penetrates into whatever crevices are present, though horn is not very permeable.

If you feel it necessary, you could remove the baseplug and proceed with your repair.

Either way, I'd suggest a rawhide wrap as extra support and protection.

 

[Tinker2]

“Dunno about what kind of crud you collected”

The crud is in the gap, split on the outside. Powder dust, blood, dirty hands.
The stuff that accumulates in the wilds.

I don’t put anything in the horn but black powder.
Although the more you know me the more you should ask that type of question. :wink:




Thanks
William Alexander

 

[BrownBear]

The crud is in the gap, split on the outside. Powder dust, blood, dirty hands.
The stuff that accumulates in the wilds.

Well shoot. Sounds to me like it's pert near sealed already. All you gotta do is use it more and it will be gooed back to perfect! :grin:

 

[Tinker2]

Coming up with a good way to clamp the horn and close the gap and not damage the horn
may take more brain power then I have today.
The last time I used latex surgical tubing and it wasn’t great.





William Alexander

 

[Tinker2]

I am trying to stay away from any permanent form of wrap if I can.



Thanks
William Alexander

 

[Tinker2]

“Well shoot. Sounds to me like it's pert near sealed already. All you gotta do is use it more and it will be gooed back to perfect!”
:rotf: :rotf: :rotf:

Well it has held that way for over 40 years, you might be right.



:idunno:
William Alexander

 

[BrownBear]

Coming up with a good way to clamp the horn and close the gap and not damage the horn
may take more brain power then I have today.
The last time I used latex surgical tubing and it wasn’t great.

I still kinda wonder about rawhide, even for a temporary clamp. Easy to football-lace a patch up tight as you can get it while wet, then it will continue to draw and tighten as it dries. Cut it off when you've done whatever gluing you come up with. Tension would be nice and even as it dried and squeezed.

 

[Black Hand]

Coming up with a good way to clamp the horn and close the gap and not damage the horn
may take more brain power then I have today.
The last time I used latex surgical tubing and it wasn’t great.

This is why I used the artificial sinew - the waxed cord grabbed onto the horn and didn't slip. I also wrapped it tightly, laying each successive wrap against the previous with no space.

 

[Tinker2]

“Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore.”

My horn is plum full now so I guess I will be forced to go do some shooting now. :wink:


Thanks guys, I will post what I do right or wrong, I do greatly appreciate the help.


William Alexander

 

[wulf]

What ever kind of adhesive you decide to use....
you can use a auto hose clamp as a tempory hold
till your repair cures.Well thats what I would do.

 

[Black Hand]

What ever kind of adhesive you decide to use....
you can use a auto hose clamp as a tempory hold
till your repair cures.Well thats what I would do.

Great idea! However, I would pad the metal clamp with leather or duct tape.

 

[silverfox]

Another choice. I had a horn with about a 2 inch crack in it about 15 years ago. Not knowing any better I pulled the plug cleaned the inside of the horn and epoxy a 1/2 x 3 inch piece of matching horn to the inside, Held it in place with a balloon until it cured. Cleaned it up as best as I could. Put the plug back in and it is still being used. I did put something for filler in the outside crack but don't remember what it was. horns are tough and getting hard to find a good one. Fox

 

[SgtErv]

I've been following this thread pretty closely and have learned a lot. Good stuff

 

[Billnpatti]

Clean the crack to remove the crud. How you clean it will depend on what is in the crack. Probably hot water, soap and a toothbrush will get it. When it is dry, apply just enough thin super glue to fill the crack. You want to minimize the excess glue. Cover the crack with something (?) to which the super glue will not stick and then tightly wrap the horn with nylon cord. Tie one end of the cord to something that will not move such as a porch railing. Attach the other end to your horn and pull the cord tight. Start rolling the cord around your horn keeping it good and tight. The nylon will stretch and apply plenty of pressure on the horn to close the crack. When the glue has had time to dry, just remove the nylon cord and whatever non-stick stuff you wrapped the horn in. Scrape and clean off any excess glue and you are done.

Before you select any non-stick stuff, be sure to check it to make sure that the super glue will not stick to it.