Sea Shells to hold powder?

[jeffdrown]

Has anyone made a powder holder out of large sea shells?

 

[dyemaker]

I have not made any but I have seen examples made from nautilus shells.

 

[Jim Blair]

Any pictures online?Saw a powder container made out of a turtle shell awhile back.

 

[dyemaker]

The nautilis shell flasks are usuallly indian or Indo-persian but I believe I've seen a German one.
The tortoise shell flask was Swiss. Here is one that looks like a winner. Its a Cowrie shell, Germany c.1750
http://www.kornbluthphoto.com/images/PMAPowderShell1.jpg

Also it may be worthwhile to search this site for "powder flask" There was a Russian shell flask but there may be more.

http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O71944/powder-flask/?print=1

 

[paulvallandigham]

Compared to Cattle horns, sea shells are way too heavy, and fragile to use as a powder horn.

 

[omarick1948]

 

[jeffdrown]

..I'm going to make one !

 

[brubincam]

why not just put a sling on a 1 pound can ? :blah:

 

[Rifleman1776]

Sea shells are generally very fragile and funny shaped.
The flask shown from the cowrie is neat, though. Cowries are thicker and stouter than many other sea shells.
Turtle/tortise shells are pretty tough but the outer covering will peel off with time making them ugly. That said, I have a turtle shell flask that is, at least, ten years old and that hasn't happened yet. But, I have had shells on the shelf waiting for a project that just fell apart. Go figger. :idunno:

 

[jeffdrown]

..I bet just about anything that was found in the past ..that might make a powder holder has been tried! It wasn't like they had the "internet". Hmmmm!

 

[gus13]

Sea shells are generally very fragile and funny shaped.
The flask shown from the cowrie is neat, though. Cowries are thicker and stouter than many other sea shells.
Turtle/tortise shells are pretty tough but the outer covering will peel off with time making them ugly. That said, I have a turtle shell flask that is, at least, ten years old and that hasn't happened yet. But, I have had shells on the shelf waiting for a project that just fell apart. Go figger. :idunno:

With them shells, does your old one have some kind of protective finish? could be why its still around and the ones on the shelf fell apart. :idunno: and it does seem odd since I have seen a couple turtle shell flasks, both new and original.

 

[roundball]

..I'm going to make one !

Go for it !
:thumbsup:

And that would make you a 'Sheller' instead of a Horner'...LOL

 

[roundball]

why not just put a sling on a 1 pound can ? :blah:

Man, the power of group dynamics / brainstorming !
Taking that idea a step further...seems like Goex, et al, has a marketing opportunity...one of those companies could fashion / stamp out 1LB containers in the shape of a powder horn...LOL...just a different shaped powder flask on a sling

 

[brubincam]

Thank you I appreciate it-- :thumbsup:

 

[RushCC]

Taking that idea a step further...seems like Goex, et al, has a marketing opportunity...one of those companies could fashion / stamp out 1LB containers in the shape of a powder horn...LOL...just a different shaped powder flask on a sling

You sure they don't pay you to come up with stuff like that? It'd be money well spent!:rotf:

 

[omarick1948]

..I bet just about anything that was found in the past ..that might make a powder holder has been tried! It wasn't like they had the "internet". Hmmmm!

Sure they did!...I'm using a 1759 DELL!.... :stir:

 

[Robby]

I've heard, there is a gal down by the sea shore that sells them. :grin:
Robby

 

[Rifleman1776]

Sea shells are generally very fragile and funny shaped.
The flask shown from the cowrie is neat, though. Cowries are thicker and stouter than many other sea shells.
Turtle/tortise shells are pretty tough but the outer covering will peel off with time making them ugly. That said, I have a turtle shell flask that is, at least, ten years old and that hasn't happened yet. But, I have had shells on the shelf waiting for a project that just fell apart. Go figger. :idunno:

With them shells, does your old one have some kind of protective finish? could be why its still around and the ones on the shelf fell apart. :idunno: and it does seem odd since I have seen a couple turtle shell flasks, both new and original.

I dunno. :idunno: I bought it from somebody's blanket at a ronny just because I thought it was neat. I then hung it from the ceiling of the unfinished room in the basement I laughingly call my office along with about 20 other horns and flasks. I may use it one day just to say I did.

[/img]

 

[caintuck rifle]

A seashell powder horn would be heavy but possible. In Osborne Russell Journal of a trapper he mentions pacific islanders as trappers so it could be likely that one of them could have had a shell powder horn.

 

[FishDFly]

P/C or H/C correct?