powderhorn inscriptions/rhymes?

[76monza]

Hello everybody,

It's been quite a while since I've posted ANY topics. I'm hoping you guys and gals can help me out. I've been building powder horns lately... a lot of powder horns (thanks to my job.) :cursing: I can design and build the horns without too much difficulty. Even designing the images to scrimshaw aren't difficult for me. MY PROBLEM is trying to come up with appropriate sayings, rhymes, quotes etc. Other than the obvious name and date of the horn what ideas do you all have? I hope I'm not the only one with this dilemma.

smokeydays

 

[Slamfire]

Lines from Shakespere would be PC, rhymes from the sonnets seem to fit yore desires. :v

 

[Brasilikilt]

Hey smokey

I have the same problem as you...

I try to think about what kind of person would use a particular style of horn, and what would motivate that individual.

For example, a soldier or militia man might engrave something about getting home to his family in one piece, or how he wants to be the one to shoot a high-ranking enemy

Biblical phrases are often the old standby since the bible was often the only printed book people had back then.

Another thought which came to mind is to use quotes from Ben Franklin's "Poor Richard's Almanac"
"Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy wealthy and wise" to quote a familiar example.

Robert Burns would likely be another really good source for powder horn phrases

Just thought I would throw that out there
hope that helps

Iain

 

[CrackStock]

Powder, Patch then Ball -- Works Best of All.

 

[76monza]

I like it Crackstock!
I daresay that should be engraved on all the barrels just below the "Use Black Powder Only"

Smokeydays

 

[Johnny Tremain]

Insert plug before firing

 

[FlintlockJonny]

i got[url] one..made[/url] it up on the spot.

In this horn lies my powder,
it makes my gun a little louder
and turns the deer into chowder!

what do you think?

 

[Many Klatch]

Powder and Ball
Evens All

 

[trent/OH]

This month's Muzzle Blasts, pages 44-45, mention a book you should check into. The title is "What they had to say", by Ron Vail. You can get it from the author, or Dixie Gun Works.

It has 25 pages of inscriptions from original horns, and also some symbols or decorations from the old horns. Proper spelling as we now know it seems to have been an undiscovered artform.
This sounds like the book you need to continue your journey.

I'd like to see some of your work. I think it's about time for me to get a nice horn.

 

[2172]

We all seem to have your problem. I will use Old Testament lines..Issaih seems to have a lot, but will confess that on occasion, I make up ones that sound biblical, "fear my thunder, feel my lightning" that kind of thing...Hank

 

[paulvallandigham]

Little Johnny: I would leave off the last line, and just go with the first two. I have never heard of " Deer Chowder" and going there to get a third rhyming word doesn't make a lot of sense.

 

[redwing]

The horns were marked with personal things so the owner could ID them. If you were in the Militia the powder man would collect the horns and fill them with your ration of powder. You wanted to get your own horn back. The other reason horns were often stolen so you needed to ID it before you cut some one's throat. :cursing:

 

I generaly put a fake date (1775 or such) ans put the real date in the cartuche box in roman numerals along woth my name. Cuts down on fakes

 

[Charles D. Prokopp]

You might consider Latin mottoes, "Amo,Amas, Amat and More" is a good source.

 

[fallaloosa]

I have a pic of an old Rev war era horn with the inscriptions "George Ferguson My name I may do good but it is unknown when" Powder good wich I have is not free to every knave Master only I supply let begging fellows go buy" and "Powder with my brother ball most hearow like do conquer all" These are some of my favorites. I also like one that said plainly, "The Redcoat that steals this horn will go to Hell sure as he is born" :grin:

 

[Stumpkiller]

"If I should lose, and you do find, return to me, for it is mine"

One of my feeble attempts:

CHAS PEARSALL, HIS HORN
MADE Ye IVLY, MCMXC

And the simple but always useful:

CHas PearsaLL - His Horn

(Made by Griz) - Note "STUMPKILLER" is spelled out around the base between the pins holding the plug)

 

[fallaloosa]

not bad at all Stumpkiller! :grin:

 

[fallaloosa]

here's another one I found, it reads as follows
"Take not this horn for fare of shame, for on it lise the owner name. My horn My wife I do in ten to use My self. But not to lend if that should cause strife. I lend me Horn before Me Wife"

spelling is a bit off, and he seems a bit long winded doesn't he? :v

 

[colmoultrie]

How's this for ersatz Biblical?

My trust is in the Lord
May He keep my eye keen and aim true!

alternatively

My trust is in the Lord
May He smite mine enemy
Aided by powder and ball

or for those of you who are a little more irreverent...

In God We Trust
But the Lord helps those
Who help themselves

or

Helping the Lord
Deliver Thunder and Lightning

:wink:

 

[fallaloosa]

:applause: :rotf: