Powder horn project

[BigAl52]

I wanna see Badger peering thru the door at you wondering what in the hell you are doing.

 

[user 48679]

You will need to cut off a bit of the horn tip before you drill it. You can use that cut off part to make the stopper.

 

[Omahkapi'si]

That’s what I was thinking for the tip as well. Might drill it and put a dowel in it.

 

[Omahkapi'si]

I make my horn plugs out of pine, which is soft. What works for me is pulling the plug out with my teeth and holding it there while loading, then replacing it by hand. That way I don't lose the plug or drop it. As a result, my horn plug is all chewed-up looking. It ain't pretty, but it works. I'll bet there were a lot of them like that back in the day. Pro tip: don't stain the plug with anything that tastes bad.

Mine will be attached to my horn strap with a leather lace. No chance of losing it!

 

[pilot]

 

[pilot]

Something about the plug and horn of the same material makes the plug stick in it without coming loose. I have been going to drill a hole in it and tie it to the horn, but Round Tuits are scarce.

 

[Billy Boy]

I will try making my first horn. A generous member I had coffee with today gave me a Buffalo horn.
is there any reason the little stopper couldn’t be made from antler? Does it have to be wood?

I think wood is best for sealing. I wax mine and although a bit forward, I put coupla O rings on, powder dry all the time, any conditions.

 

[Black_Feather]

How's clear JB Weld for an epoxy for the plug? Good stuff?

Idk, others with more knowledge might give a better perspective but that’s what I used. I wiped some around the wooden butt end before I set it in, let it dry a day, then used brass tacks on the end, not historic but you can’t see it.

 

[Omahkapi'si]

Don’t think I’ll do much more shaping on the spout. Primitive and simple is what I think a Buffalo horn would look like if a frontiersman or mountain man made his own. At least that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. I just stuck the spout plug in to check the seal. It’s good. I may make the plug and base out of light pine with a good grain or maybe a gnarly knot or two.

PS...if you are thinking about making a horn of your own....go for it. Great fun and a good way to spend an afternoon or two. No power tools at all involved in mine....even the hole was drilled with an old hand drill my late father had in his shop when I was a kid. Like I said, this one won't win any prizes but I will wear it with pride cuz I made it.

 

[Omahkapi'si]

On Saturday I will attempt to make the base plug and fit it. Just not sure on the wood yet; reddish brown or light pine.

 

[Alexitt]

That's looking very nice, I just finished a buffalo horn in a similar fashion while I was waiting for my first flintlock to arrive... First time working with Buffalo and I'm pretty happy with the way it came out, last time I made horns was 25+ years ago when I first started with muzzleloaders and I'm still using them to this day... Now I'm working on making a flat horn out of buffalo and it's definitely more of a challenge though I finally got it to stay flat and almost have the butt plug fitted... I'm using black walnut for these and camellia wood for the plugs...

 

[Omahkapi'si]

Nice, the buffalo horns sure have some grain and texture to them. Looking forward to completing it.

 

[Omahkapi'si]

I took a little wax to it just to see how it cleaned up. Think it will look ok. Different. Rustic for sure.

 

[Omahkapi'si]

Curious if something like this could be made into a base plug for the horn. Hmmm…I have couple laying around.

 

[smo]

Congrats RR! You’re making good progress

 

[smo]

Curious if something like this could be made into a base plug for the horn. Hmmm…I have couple laying around. View attachment 126967

I don’t see why not… Most I’ve made were from 1x boards..

 

[Rifleman1776]

I will try making my first horn. A generous member I had coffee with today gave me a Buffalo horn.
is there any reason the little stopper couldn’t be made from antler? Does it have to be wood?

Wood should always be used because it compresses. Antler or wood do not compress and you will eventually split the spout when inserting the plug forcefully. BTW, bison horn is thick and heavy. Not the most desirably material, IMHO.

 

[Omahkapi'si]

You got that right: it’s thick stuff! Should outlive me.

I still call ‘em buffalo. Bison Bill Cody just doesn’t cut it.

 

[appalichian hunter]

How's clear JB Weld for an epoxy for the plug? Good stuff?

NO

 

[LME]

I used the tip of my horn the same as you on my first horn many, many years ago! You are the first person I have heard of that did the same thing?