powder horn

[canuck4570]

just got a horn from the butcher... very nice two collor (black and white)... boiled and cleaned it and I would like to know what is the next step
I would like to put a valve on it ... any tricks on how to do this horn would be appreciated...Canuck

 

[omarick1948]

Micheal,
Being it is a fresh GREEN horn. You should set it up in the rafters of your garage or a place to let it dry out and cure. If you try to make a powder horn with a green horn that is too fresh, you will have problems with some shrinkage, possible splitting and to a minor degree,changing
shape and color....I know!...Been there,did that!

I would let it naturally dry-out for at least acouple months or more!....the wait will be worth it! :thumbsup:

Rick

 

[paulvallandigham]

Do NOT put any kind of valve on that horn! The valves are not SAFE, as they gum up with BP residue over time, and a spark in the barrel can turn your powder horn into a bomb right before your eyes!! :shake: :youcrazy: :shocked2:

The ONLY SAFE WAY of using a powder horn is to pour the powder into a separate powder MEASURE- either something home-made( my first was from a piece of antler I drilled out until it held the amount of powder I wanted), or a commercial, adjustable Powder measure. ( I own an old Haddaday measure with the funnel attached to the barrel of the measure so I don't miss putting the powder from the measure into the barrel on cold mornings! )

Simply make your horn the traditional way, with a wooden stopper in the mouth, attached to the horn by a leather thong, so you don't lose it, too. Pour the powder into the measure, then put the stopper back into the horn, and put the horn away. Then, and ONLY THEN, pour the powder down the barrel of your gun.

I tried to cut corners years ago using a commercial powder Flask, that was all set up with its own valve system. I was using it to load a revolver cylinder, and the circumstances of loading made it impossible for any embers to still be burning at the bottom of any chamber in the cylinder.

However, the valve became so gummed up I finally had to take the flask apart to clean everything. To my HORROR, I found that BP residue was thickly caked on BOTH SIDES of the cut-off plate, and that the crud was actually bending the plate, and causing the valve NOT TO CLOSE properly. There was a direct line between the barrel of any rifle or shotgun and the powder in the flask if I used that valve in loading powder charges down them! :shocked2: :cursing: :nono:

Black Powder is safe, if YOU are safe, using it.

If you screw up, you have a bomb in the making. That is why BP clubs and the people who work as range officers are such sticklers about safety on the range. You won't just blow yourself up- you will be hurting other innocent bystanders. My experience is that Range Officers at Black Powder matches are much more strict than those working modern gun ranges. They not only watch how you handle and load the gun on the firing line, but they watch how you handle the gun and accoutrements at the loading benches. They have to do so. :hmm: :thumbsup:

 

[canuck4570]

the valve will be to pour the powder in a separate powder measure and then in the barrel for speed event... thanks for the advice.... would like to know if the used these valve in the old days... Canuck

 

[hornbuilder]

The short answer is yes they did use valves in the "good ole days"

 

[paulvallandigham]

It depends on what you call the " Old Days". There were flasks being used with valves on them in Britain in the 19th century, but not much before then. Valves attached to powder horns was considered in the same way as putting an elevator in an outhouse! It wasn't done, until after the Civil war, when manufacturing techniques made such valves inexpensive enough that people could afford to put them on a horn. It was done, but more as a gimmick than for regular sale.

At my local Black Powder club, you will not be allowed on the range with a powder horn with such a valve system attached to it, even if you do pour the powder from the valve measure into a separate measure. The valve Not closing properly is what creates the hazard, and leaving that horn on the bench, or hanging from your neck on the firing line puts you just as close to haveing a spark get into the valve, and light off the powder.

Don't underestimate the danger. Please.

 

[laffingman67]

Paul is longwinded and likes to type, but he offers very sound advice. (He's a lawyer, what else would you expect! :blah: sorry Paul) A horn valve is a dangerous piece of ordanance, especially if it is a big horn. We really are dealing with an explosive, and any additional safety measure that can be followed, should be followed. IMO :hmm:

Adam

 

[skunkskinner]

the valve will be to pour the powder in a separate powder measure and then in the barrel for speed event... thanks for the advice.... would like to know if the used these valve in the old days... Canuck

On one of my horns I have a valve. I pour the powder in my hand, then down the barrel. The powder measure is just one less thing to fumble with. When I am shooting at the range I have never felt the need to be in a hurry, so there is 5 minutes or so between shots. My SKS fullfills my rappid fire needs.

My shooting club has never had an issue my loading technique, (I'm the only member :rotf: ) But I will add that I do NOT do this at ANY public shoots or other ranges. If I was to see any body pouring powder from the horn into the barrel, It would be time for me to go home. As others have said, it's a bad idea.

Im shure that someone here will remind me of the safety issues, so I'll say thank you in advance. :wink:

 

[mazo kid]

the valve will be to pour the powder in a separate powder measure and then in the barrel for speed event... thanks for the advice.... would like to know if the used these valve in the old days... Canuck

That is how it should be done! And yes, they were used in the "old days". I have 3 horns with valves in my modest collection, one dates to the late 1700s. Granted, it is a simple lever that pulls the cover back from the tip; the others are the "patented valve" type. Also, I have a lot of original powder flasks; many of those pre-date the Civil War. Soooo, is it OK to use a powder flask with a valve and not a horn with one?? And why?

 

[omarick1948]

Skunkskinner!
Someday, your club might be gone by a lack of member!......Remember Murphy's Law is always creeping about!.... :nono:

Rick

 

[skunkskinner]

Skunkskinner!
Someday, your club might be gone by a lack of member!......Remember Murphy's Law is always creeping about!.... :nono:

Rick

naa.... I'm taking my favorite smoke pole with me to the other side. I'll start a new club there. :rotf:

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

Check out October Country, powder horn hardware. They have the TRESO Fast Flow Valve for about three dollars. It might be just the thing you are looking for. :hmm:

 

[paulvallandigham]

I guess you have to carry around a horn hunting for a couple of days to realize that all that added weight to the horn begins to " grow " the wrong way on you. I began looking for ways to take powder loads with me, and leavy my horn back at the car!

But, boy, I surely did look historically correct in that first parade I was in! I found that the brass fittings kept moving the horn down over my shoulder, so that the fitting was lower than the plug. People kept asking me if I knew my horn was slipping, and was I afraid of losing powder out of it some time.

I have one of those large heavy leather bags with an Irish pouch and measure for shot, to go with my Fowler, a gift from my brother. The first thing I learned was I didn't need all the shot that the pouch, sewn to the strap, could hold when hunting here. The next thing I learned was all that leather made the bag heavy to carry no matter how wide the shoulder strap. The brass fitting on the shot pouch also was an annoying amount of weight after about 4 hours.

That recommended speed valve from October Country is well designed. It will still require frequent cleaning, but because its not using a thin, brass plated steel gate, it should not pose the same safety risk that other valves do.

 

[T.C.Albert]

If Im on the right page, and thats questionable, I think traditional 16th and 17th century stag horn flasks and even 17th and 18th century french and spanish pulverines were "lever spouted" and valved; sure the standard adjustable and graduated run of the mill mass produced english spout and charger so common to the familiar brass flasks generally seen today tend to date to the early 1800s at the earliest, but I think the others are actually almost as old as gunpowder...

 

[paulvallandigham]

I agree. Flasks with levers are seen on old wood block prints going back to the days of Matchlocks.

I have not seen them on powder horns, however, much before the latter half of the 18th century. The cost of the things became much cheaper for the ordinary shooter, after the industrial revolution began in 1840, and got into fulls wing after the Civil war.( 1861-'65). That is when you see the devices showing up more frequently attached to powder horns.

I still prefer a wooden stopper.

 

[canuck4570]

dont worry guys I love shooting my muzzle loader and I want to keep on injoying it..... and also speaking and learning from you guys.... thanks again for all the info ....Canuck