New large horn for myself

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All the powder horns I have kept for myself, I made in the late 70's and early 80's, and it shows, LOL. I wanted a large horn for myself for a 1750's-1770's impression, suitable for military or civilian purposes, and finished it this weekend. I had roughed it out a year ago (took the bark off and rough rasped it, cut the ends off) and I suppose I have another 10-12 hours in it since then to finish it. Susan may have a better notion, LOL. I like plain horns and noted that the Timothy Murphy horn at the Old Stone Fort in Schoharie, NY, is a large, plain horn of similar color. Seems every horn speaks to me regarding how to shape it, and I usually listen.

The horn is very large, about 17" along the outer curve, 3.25" across at the butt, and is a greenish tinted amber that is translucent in sunlight, but it has been kept thick enough to survive the roughest usage. I expect it will hold over a pound and a half of powder. The butt plug is white pine, and the spout plug is black locust. Both are stained with AQF and finished with Keith Casteel's oil.

I had a piece of very stout, burlap weight hemp fabric and chose this for the strap as the color was a nice match and they seemed to belong together. I sewed the strap as a tube but then unraveled the ends and braided the warp strands together in 2 braids to tie to the horn. The end for the butt plug is left long to adjust the strap for winter clothing. It is a right hand carry and hugs the body well. I hope this will be a good 30 year horn for me.

Open for critique- comments and constructive criticism are welcome.

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Whoa! When you said "large horn" I didn't really visualize THAT large until I scrolled down to the last picture. WOW that rascal will hold close to two pounds of powder? You did a fine job on it for sure and I like your strap too. Toating that horn one could stay out a long time...
 
Rich,
I think you have achieved the "beautiful simplicity" inherent in the horn. Didn't need a lot of embellishment, just brought out the essence of the horn. Well Done! :bow:
 
Looks good. Did you use flint tools to work it down? I hear you do good flint knaping. Don Cole always made and used his flint knives for his work. He even used flint tips on his hunting arrows and dressed the deer with flint knives he had made. He tried several times to teach me how to knap flint but I am "knapping impared " :idunno:
 
No rocks were injured in the making of this horn! :rotf:

A horn could be shaped with flint tools- but man that would be a lot of work.

I have skinned and gutted a lot of critters with flint blades and many times they work better, and keep cutting longer than a decent steel knife.
 
I like it and also the strap. never thought of doing a strap like that, excellent idea.
Deadeye
 
Thanks. I used what I had and also like the idea of being able to adjust the length according to how heavy my clothing is. Man, I will tell you, help fabric is unbelievably strong.
 
Rich, I love the size and twist it has. I would pay a more than fair price for a horn like it, only white and left carry. Looks really good.
 
Nice Rich you did a great job but hey if you decide you dont like it for some reason you could let me know I may take it off your hands so you dont need to look at it any more :grin:
 
Love that big double-curved monster. Great looking horn (I saw it first over at the Horner's Bench). You did a nice, simple looking job.
:v
 
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