Pewter Powderhorns

[Deerslayer]

I saw a pewter powder horn in a secondhand store recently. I had never seen or heard of them before. Are these very common? It was relatively heavy with almost no markings on it except some kind of maker stamp near its base. From what time period would these be?

 

[Deerslayer]

I didn't take a photo of it, but it looked very similar to this one, which I pulled off the internet.

 

[Eutycus]

Is it real or just someone's idea of a wallhanger?

 

[Deerslayer]

Is it real or just someone's idea of a wallhanger?

It looked legitimate to me. It's appropriately sized and hollow but ridiculously heavy. It was missing any kind of plug for the tip. The solder joints at the four locations where the hanger pins(?) meet the "bands" had come loose, and I'm guessing compromised the interior of the horn. It looked like the pins went through the "bands" and through the entire horn to the opposite side. I was told that one of the owners spent a few hours researching the horn and dated it to around 1830-1840. I wish I had taken a picture of the maker stamp, but it was not terribly clear.

 

[hawkeye2]

I don't know if they are still available now or not but they came from Italy circa 1970s to 1990s possibly longer. I have never seen an original pewter horn like these but I do see these offered as "originals" from time to time and often for several times what they are worth.

 

[Deerslayer]

I don't know if they are still available now or not but they came from Italy circa 1970s to 1990s possibly longer. I have never seen an original pewter horn like these but I do see these offered as "originals" from time to time and often for several times what they are worth.

The asking price was well over $200, so I passed on it. Though I'm thinking it could easily double as a beaver club.

 

[hawkeye2]

If you look real close you can usually find ITALY stamped in them somewhere though sometimes very faint and not always complete and a small stamp.

 

[Deerslayer]

If you look real close you can usually find ITALY stamped in them somewhere though sometimes very faint and not always complete and a small stamp.

Excellent. If I return there tomorrow, I'll check it out and maybe take some photos.

 

[MSW]

looks pretty, but i'd guess way too heavy to be practical.

 

[tenngun]

Seems to me, but I’m not sure where I’ve seen it, but, I’m thinking horn shaped flask were made and used in moslem Mediterranean lands.

 

[rickystl]

These are for decoration only. The reason they are so heavy is that they are a one or two-piece casting. Usually made without a stopper on purpose. As mentioned above, likely made in the latter half of the 20th Century as tourist items.

 

[toot]

well at least it will not cause / throw a spark. that I guarantee!!!!

 

[R I Jerolmon]

I didn't take a photo of it, but it looked very similar to this one, which I pulled off the internet. View attachment 84371View attachment 84371

I posted a p hoto. of one of these a while back and was told by several that it was most likely from Turkey or some where in the Mid East