Very old powder horns maintenance

[Randy1944]

What is a good treatment to keep bore bugs out of the horns. Two horns that I have, already have some holes in them and I don't know what is best to do to help them. Also, what will keep the bore bugs out of the other horns? Thanks for your help. Randy1944

 

[rich pierce]

There are not any surface treatments I know of that will not discolor the horns. Pack in moth balls is one approach.

 

[Randy1944]

rich, Thanks for the information about moth balls, I will try that. Randy1944

 

[pichou]

You can use neetsfoot oil on the new horns. It may darken the old horns, especially if they are rough from being hot and dry.

Best thing is not to put the old ones back into the barn where they sat for 100 years. :wink:

I store my antique horn stuff in a airtight clear plastic box.

 

[omarick1948]

Randy, I have a half dozen old antique horns hanging-up in my shop, that I waxed a long time ago with canuba paste wax and just threw about a tablespoon of moth ball FLAKES into each horn and put the stopper back in and hung them back up. That reminds me! I haven't changed those moth ball flakes in acouple of years!....I better do so! I also store all my powder-horns-to-be, in a large sealed container with a handful of Moth balls thrown in for good measure! No horn beetle problems!

Rick