Making a Powder Horn Question

[C.J.]

A friend of mine gave me a long twisted cow horn to make me another powder horn out of. After looking at it I noticed that the horn appears to have a few areas where it looks like there are air bubbles under the first layer. I can push on them and they do not mash down however looking at the end that is cut off at the base one can see the layers that have delaminated there at the end. If I remove an inch from that end it will be fine however the spots I described in the horn are all over it. Should this still work if I finish polishing it up?

 

[ohio ramrod]

Many horns have "spots" in them. Most are solid, but not all! A little superglue and horn dust will fill any spots that are not solid. :idunno:

 

[omarick1948]

hotoSmile:

 

[C.J.]

Horner I will try to get a picture posted this evening. :wink: I see where you have crafted a few, Do you have any picts. to share? I'd love to see your work.

 

[Claude Mathis]

Horner I will try to get a picture posted this evening. :wink: I see where you have crafted a few, Do you have any picts. to share? I'd love to see your work.

Click on Horner's name, then click on "Find Topics by this User". Look at his topics in the Craftsman section.

 

[omarick1948]

Thanks Claude!
Yes, I have made a couple. You can see some of them in the Members Gallery also.

Rick

 

[C.J.]

thanks for the instruction Claude. Horner75, Sir I am very impressed. I wish I could make a horn that looks half as good as those you have made. Yours are very nice.

 

[omarick1948]

C.J., Thank you sincerely! It just takes practice and dedication in what you do!

Rick

 

[C.J.]

Well I guess I'm going to have to wait and get another horn. I messed this one up. :idunno: Oh well what do they say if at first you don't succeed, go buy one :grin:

 

[Rick Son]

How did you mess it up? I did a set of horns that were very old peeled up splintered and such..Rasp,files and sand paper and use a mask and eye protection for sure,not powder horns,but Ricks are museum pieces in my opinion.I did the horns on the skull,one of Ricks is hanging from one side..Some of the most bueatifull scrim i have ever seen!!

 

[C.J.]

Well when I was drilling it out I missed the mark and went through the bottom. I'm actually going to order a buffalo horn instead of a twisted steer horn this time.
I just want to make sure I get a nice sized one. Last 2 horns I have had have been very thin and small.

 

[C.J.]

One other thing. I agree 100% with you on Ricks work. By far the BEST I have ever seen. Certainly a work of art that one can admire.

 

[Rick Son]

I can drive truck and run heavy equipment,cain't drill worth a snot!I have the book on making powder horns had it for at least 5 years now,i'm too afraid to read it,they hang bad horn makers don't they?? :surrender: :surrender:

 

[C.J.]

I am with you on that one.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I can drive truck and run heavy equipment,cain't drill worth a snot!I have the book on making powder horns had it for at least 5 years now,i'm too afraid to read it,they hang bad horn makers don't they?? :surrender: :surrender:

Everyone has their skills. Even though you might have to look long and hard to fine mine. :shocked2: :redface:
Oh, well. I have made a couple powder horns. They didn't come out looking pretty but they were functional. Don't know where they are now, probably gave them away. My biggest failing on horn making is lacking the patience to scrape away all the outer scale and getting down to smooth horn. Got a few started somewhere if the buggies ain't et em up by now.

 

[C.J.]

Can anyone give a recommendation where to purchase a raw horn at?

 

[bubba.50]

powderhorns and more dot com

 

[omarick1948]

http://www.powderhornsandmore.com/

 

[Rifleman1776]

Can anyone give a recommendation where to purchase a raw horn at?

Almost every town has a slaughter house. Give a call. Or see the county extension agent and ask for names of some ranchers. Call or visit a few. When they dehorn most just leave the cut-offs on the ground for the buggies. Ask if you can come the next time they work cattle. Ain't a pretty sight for a city boy, though.

 

[Pierre du Plessis]

You might want to check to see if there are any market fairs/rendezvous events near you - they generally have some vendors selling raw horns. I have purchased several very good horn blanks at such events...