Virginia Type Horn

[gus13]

here's one of my latest, Measures 14" OSC (tip to base) and 2 1/2" cherry base that has been hollowed out pretty far. Antler tip, with Lathe turned Band.

Questions Comments Critiques Are Always Welcome!

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

Looks really good. I like the ring around the center. :thumbsup:

 

[adiochiro3]

Nice work! :thumbsup:

 

[yeoldcraftsman]

Gus my boy, very nice looking powderhorn with just a couple changes/comments. First, nice butt plug and band along with the size and color of the horn as they blend and compliment each other. The big downside is your tip. It is way toooo long and looks way out of place for this horn. Remember that word proportion? Its' design also makes it too "tip heavy" and has no gradual decrease in size from its' base to the tip. In other words it looks clumsy and out of place.

Also from a design perspective the 'squarish' bands on the tip do not compliment the nice roundish beehive forms in the butt plug. Think loud plaid trousers and striped shirts.

Here's a tip: when starting out to either make an applied or screwtip think of a small cone shape with the base larger than the tip. Think "graceful" and "gradual" change of dimension from its' base to the tip. Yes, pretty much like making a powder horn only the tip is smaller. Once all the parts going into a Southern powder horn (butt plug, band(s), tips, and graceful shaped horn) that are in harmony with each other you generally end up with the very essence of a Southern banded powderhorn: light and graceful and a joy to look at.
Your coming along just fine Gus and we've all been there experiencing the bumpy road in our journey to being a good horner. Keep up the work! :hatsoff:

Ps. reviewing one photo (or it's the camera?) it looks like the horn is 'belled' a bit?
Gary

 

[ohio ramrod]

Does the long tip plug contain a powder measure? While it does seem "out of proportion" a powder measure in the plug would explain the "extra" length. Over all nice work, don't let the proportion thing bother you. Another
"plug" can always be switched if desired. :idunno: :idunno:

 

[Rifleman1776]

I agree with the critique.
Interesting horn. But the belled butt bothers me as does the long plug.
For practical reasons I don't favor horn or antler plugs. Wood will compress to give a tight fit. Antler, bone or horn do not compress and there is a risk of splitting the horn.
Otherwise pretty horn with a different color.
What makes it a "Virginia style"?

 

[gus13]

its not a plug, but an applied tip. the plug would be added to it. here's an example of what I mean:

thanks for the input Gary, as always its much appreciated! :hatsoff:

the style would be considered a Virginia Horn, as alot of horns found in the VA area would have an applied tip of wither antler or horn, a turned plug - usually a fruitwood - and some would also include a single applied band somehwere near the center of the body. just remember this is a gfuideline not a hard and fast rule. :wink:

 

[brawny man]

Gus

How are the bands fixed in place? Wood pegs? Are the bands decoration or do they serve another purpose? Thanks.

 

[hawkthrower]

Gus, it would benefit from some taper to the tip but, I don't think the band looks bad at all.

Ron

 

[gus13]

thanks Ron, I'm kinda proud of that one, since its the first actual lathe turned band I was able to actually get close to right! :grin:

One Shot, the band is pinned in place I have seen both metal (several types) and wood. this one is just wood. as to your other question....well thats seems to be up for debate by a whole lot of much more knowledgeable folks than I! one idea on a Southern Banded style is: that the bands provide a better hand hold. Others claim it helps reinforce the horn as this particular style is often scraped (filed,sanded, etc.) very thin. then of course there is the "artistic" merit behind them as well, although I have seen a few that I wouldn't consider very pretty to modern standards. so thats my long way of saying, "I'm not really sure how to answer!" :haha:

 

[MSW]

very pretty!

 

[brawny man]

Do the band holes for the pegs go through the body of the horn? Do you use beeswax to seal the holes?

 

[gus13]

MSW thank you!
One shot, the holes are drilled through, and I used a waterproof woodglue to ensure air/watertight fit for the pegs. but remember that some originals were not always pegged but just pressure fit (heated and pulled over the body) with just a bit of beeswax to hold that band in place. most people now pin them just to ensure they stay.

 

[omarick1948]

Gus, Glad to hear you now have a lathe! __ Takes less work than making those bands by hand...uh? Your horn looks good and that base plug "flare" is common among both new and experienced horn makers alike!..Hell! I've did it and will admit it! __ I have even seen it on some of the old original powder horns. __ Sometimes we just try to stretch that base a little too large in rounding!

As for the applied tip! __ All things take practice, so start another Buddy! Your doing just fine!

Rick :thumbsup: