Small horn identification/age

[Kaycee]

I picked up this small horn and haven't found any information on one of this type. Just trying to get a rough idea on it's age. The pegs are square, and it has a dove tail lid for a small compartment in the cap. Could not find any markings on it. Thanks for any help.
KC

 

[Rifleman1776]

Aging powder horns is like aging rocks. I believe it can't be done. We have so many skilled craftsmen in this avocation that their work often cannot be identified as newly built. Without iron clad provenance, I personally, would not invest in that as an antique. That's me. I'll probably get zinged for saying it.

 

[SOLANCO]

I have several horns made by a knowledgeable elderly man who has passed. One is similar to yours. He said it was a horn you would carry day to day. Good for several shots. He contended large horns were for powder storage and for packing for more extended travel. He also made a small flask of flattened horn for priming powder.

 

[appalichian hunter]

As to age its anyones guess, is it old I would say yes looking at the wood shrinkage, even a skilled horner would have a difficult time reproducing features such as wood shrinkage. The best part is it is yours, use and enjoy it.

 

[Kaycee]

Thank you for responding, I'm not overly concerned about it being an antique. I paid $15 for it so it's going to get used. I was more interested if it was a pre or post 1800 design.

 

[user 48679]

Since percussion caps didn't come into US use until about 1830, it's post-1800.

I like the cap storage idea for the end cap.

If the powder chamber is still sealed, I'd say you definitely got yer money's worth......

 

[Nobody85]

Looking at that nozzle style I’d say 1840s-1860s. After 1860s British powder flasks saturated the market and one could be picked up pretty reasonably priced. I haven’t seen too many horns made after that time period until the 1920s, when there was a brief muzzleloader revival.

 

[Rancocas]

Well, it could be that hole in the end plug is for holding some percussion caps. However, my first thought upon seeing it was round balls. But, of course, it is difficult to judge the size of the hole from that picture.

 

[Kaycee]

The hole in the end cap is approximately 7/16". It holds 2, 45 cal round balls very nicely with not a lot of rattle. The tack in the end prevents it from holding three.
The bottom of the hole has a centering mark from a drill bit but not a cutter mark around the edge like a spade or forstner bit leaves.
It has a wax finish on it. I will put some 4f in it and see if it leaks but it seems fairly tight.

 

[rich pierce]

Mid 1800s. I’ve got one that size dated in the1880s. So, folks were making their own horns quite a bit later than I thought.

 

[user 48679]

It has a wax finish on it. I will put some 4f in it and see if it leaks but it seems fairly tight.

Respectfully, I don't think that's a good test for sealing minute gaps that could still admit moisture.

I suggest either letting the plug end sit in a cup of water for a while, and see if any water migrates into the horn, or blowing hard into the spout with the plug temporarily coated with soapy water (to check for bubbles).

 

[Nobody85]

I wonder if a homemade powder measure could fit and stay in that hole?

 

[TDM]

As everyone else has said, impossible to know for sure. Certainly looks old and for $15 you got a dandy deal. If I had to guess, I’d say 1830’s to 1880. It’s in the plain Southern style, maybe Tennessee, maybe even Kentucky. I’d also recommend melting some beeswax and work it into the seams. Doesn’t hurt to put some on the spout plug too.

 

[kansas_volunteer]

What I first noticed was the square pegs. I have read, but have no personal experience with, building post and beam structures. Apparently some did drive square pegs in round holes. The corners of the square pegs lock into round holes better than round ones. Maybe the horn maker was influenced by this.

 

[2 shots]

cool horn... wanna double your money?