Question for Horn builders

[Salty Cracker]

I have this beautiful little horn that I want to put back in service. Will go great with a little squirrel rifle. Is no longer air tight. Looks like the plug shrunk. Otherwise no worm holes or cracks. What is your recommendation to seal it? From the outside or from the inside and using what material? Thanks in advance.

 

[PathfinderNC]

Can you post a pic of the back (plug) face-first, showing wood shrinkage?
Also, how bad is the air escaping when you blow into the nozzle?
From where the pegs/pins are, the plug looks thick, so you could pack some filler between the horn and wood, but that's just a first-thought.

 

[Salty Cracker]

Can you post a pic of the back (plug) face-first, showing wood shrinkage?
Also, how bad is the air escaping when you blow into the nozzle?
From where the pegs/pins are, the plug looks thick, so you could pack some filler between the horn and wood, but that's just a first-thought.

 

[Salty Cracker]

Honestly it leaks more than I would trust to hunt with it. I thought of melting beeswax and packing it it the gaps but was looking for other thoughts from you horners

 

[Eutycus]

There are probably several ways to remedy the horn. What would be so difficult in making a new plug?Is the old plug very old?If it's not too terribly hot where you hunt beeswax will work just fine.Or possibly enlarge the old plug so it will fit snug. A little J.B. Weld should be able to accomplish that. A little patience goes a long way.

 

[PathfinderNC]

It can certainly be packed and sealed. The question is would you want to make it merely functional, or make it functional as well as make the patch unnoticeable (i.e., restoration). That could be done as well but would take some doing.

 

[Salty Cracker]

It can certainly be packed and sealed. The question is would you want to make it merely functional, or make it functional as well as make the patch unnoticeable (i.e., restoration). That could be done as well but would take some doing.

Well it's not a very valuable horn although it is probably at least 125 years. I'm not going to make a new plug. Most likely will melt some wax and pack it in the gaps. Won't be too horrible to look at and will be enjoyed in the woods once again.

 

[The Crisco Kid]

That sounds like what would have been done back in time. Keep it simple.

 

[nhmoose]

I would do the melted bee's wax and fill and go hunting. Same as any farmer.

You had the right idea. Keep it simple as stated before, it's not rocket science.

 

[Salty Cracker]

Had some natural beeswax candles so I lit one and let it pour into the gaps then I wiped it off. Was leaking around the screw I found so I removed it and sealed it up with wax as well. Started oiling the plug as it was really dry. It's completely airtight now and will be back in the squirrel woods soon. It's such a beautiful little horn.

 

[IanH]

Great job! Now to whittle a stopper.

 

[PathfinderNC]

There ya go!

 

[Black_Feather]

Looks good! I was thinking about hunting up an old horn on eBay and doing the same thing. Nice.

 

[Eutycus]

What did you oil the plug with?

 

[Salty Cracker]

What did you oil the plug with?

Wood furniture conditioner/oil

 

[James Dietz]

Nice job on a cool horn!

 

[Timber Wolf]

Bees wax solves a multitude of problems, and is HC to boot.

 

[S.Kenton]

Beeswax was the best way to go with that, since the base plug wasn’t cracked and the horn seems to be in pretty good condition. I really
Like the simplicity of that horn. Good job fixing a piece of history.. in a historical manner!

 

[Salty Cracker]

Beeswax was the best way to go with that, since the base plug wasn’t cracked and the horn seems to be in pretty good condition. I really
Like the simplicity of that horn. Good job fixing a piece of history.. in a historical manner!

Thank you. I appreciate that. It's such a nice little horn.