Original Hunting Horn

[Ajgall]

My Father-in-law gifted us this antique hunting horn from his family he can remember his Grandfather using it to call in dogs during hunts and it being an antique then. There is the date 1814 scratched on it, but we’re all a little skeptical it’s that old.

 

[pilot]

I would believe the date until proven otherwise. That horn has a lot of wear and tear.

 

[Ames]

The date may reference the age of the horn correctly, but I don't think it was scratched into it in that year. The date looks too clean of wear and tear.
I would imagine fouling on the fingers would have gotten into the etching relatively quickly, darkening it like the rest of the horn..

 

[Ajgall]

The date may reference the age of the horn correctly, but I don't think it was scratched into it in that year. The date looks too clean of wear and tear.
I would imagine fouling on the fingers would have gotten into the etching relatively quickly, darkening it like the rest of the horn..

I agree it just doesn’t look right

 

[Ames]

But it is old. If I tried to duplicate that with all my tricks I don't think it would look as old.

 

[Tanselman]

It's a good looking blowing horn, with great patina. The scratched-in date, through all the old patina, was probably done in the last 50 years. Two details on the horn may offer clues to its age and background. The reinforcing horn ring around the bell of the horn was most commonly used in southern states, with VA, KY, NC and TN being most likely. Also, note the relatively small size of the horn, in comparison with the hand in the photo. Early blowing horns were usually larger horns, perhaps 3 or 4 inches longer than this one. I would think this blowing horn likely dates to the mid-1800s based on its size. Perhaps the "1814" date is a significant family date, such as the first owner's birth date. Shelby Gallien

 

[Ajgall]

It's a good looking blowing horn, with great patina. The scratched-in date, through all the old patina, was probably done in the last 50 years. Two details on the horn may offer clues to its age and background. The reinforcing horn ring around the bell of the horn was most commonly used in southern states, with VA, KY, NC and TN being most likely. Also, note the relatively small size of the horn, in comparison with the hand in the photo. Early blowing horns were usually larger horns, perhaps 3 or 4 inches longer than this one. I would think this blowing horn likely dates to the mid-1800s based on its size. Perhaps the "1814" date is a significant family date, such as the first owner's birth date. Shelby Gallien

A southern horn would make sense. The family is from Alabama, but I’m not sure where they lived prior to that.