AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Antique Accoutrements => Topic started by: Majorjoel on October 12, 2008, 08:30:42 PM
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A friend of mine just acquired this very nice old powder horn. I was wondering if anyone has any ideas as to it's origin and era? https://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq171/joelhall452/P1000184.jpg[/img]](https://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq171/joelhall452/P1000184.jpg) (ftp://[img width=700 height=525) https://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq171/joelhall452/P1000183.jpg[/img]](https://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq171/joelhall452/P1000183.jpg) (ftp://[img width=700 height=525) https://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq171/joelhall452/P1000179.jpg[/img]](https://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq171/joelhall452/P1000179.jpg) (ftp://[img width=700 height=525)
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The flats filed on the throat and spout, very flat plug and weak/low strap retaining ring put me in mind of a New England horn. I think a few N.E. horns had raised areas, even bands such as your wide integral band, for owner's names, dates, etc. Hard to know for sure with this horn. Is there any scratching on the band? Shelby Gallien
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Thanks Shelby for your reply, there are no names or any scrimshaw on the ring or horn body. What I find interesting are the 13 old brass tacks that are placed non -shalontly on the body and ring. These are not part of the 9 same type tacks that adorn and fasten the plug end. I am only guessing but there is a ring of square nails (brads) that stand proud around the horns spout below the lower spout ring. I think they may have held the leather strap at one time. ??
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Great old horn- that's what they look like when they're really old!
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I have a very similar horn in my things and it always my understanding that it was a rather typical New England horn. I vote with Shelby on this one. Thank you for showing it, Cap'n.
Best-Dick
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One quick comment on brass tacks on powder horns. I do a lot of work with mid-western Tansel powder horns, and the majority of datable horns I see with brass tacks (and I mean ORIGINAL tacks) are the 1848 presidential campaign horns, both Whig and Democrat. Of course, with Tansel horns it's easy to know when they were campaign-related items because of the candidates' names and pictures carved on them. 1848 was perhaps the last major campaign when powder horns were widely used as political or campaign tokens. It always makes me wonder, when I see tacks on plain horns, if many were old horns brought out and tack decorated for use with campaign rallies or poilitical gatherings in other areas in 1848. I think this was particularly true when candidates were prior military officers, and voters/supporters served in the same war the candidate won recognition and glory in. The old horn, brightened up with shiny new tacks, brought back emotional feelings of national pride and support for the candidate. Or at least that's my theory!
Shelby Gallien
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Nice horn!