AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Contemporary Accoutrements => Topic started by: davec2 on May 22, 2012, 07:10:14 AM
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A ways back, I purchased a couple of really, really cheap horns for my then 9 and 13 year old nephews, basically to use as toys. I overhauled one for the eldest a couple of years ago and the result I posted here:
http://americanlongrifles.org/old_board/index.php?topic=1811.0
However, I forgot to take any pictures of the horn before I started. So now the youngest one wanted his horn improved a little. This is the $17 horn I started with:
(https://preview.ibb.co/bKNmEx/Jarod_s_Horn_1.jpg) (http://ibb.co/ikAv7H)
(https://preview.ibb.co/inhWgc/Jarod_s_Horn_5.jpg) (http://ibb.co/gaX8SH)
(https://preview.ibb.co/kOQHMc/Jarod_s_Horn_2.jpg) (http://ibb.co/iTgrgc)
(https://preview.ibb.co/e4UBgc/Jarod_s_Horn_3.jpg) (http://ibb.co/fNeoSH)
(https://preview.ibb.co/kAJF7H/Jarod_s_Horn_4.jpg) (http://ibb.co/niuoSH)
I asked him if he had anything in mind for his horn and told him I probably could not do much engraving because the horn was so dark. He's into pirates about now and wanted to know if I could do anything on the horn that was from Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island". I wasn't sure I could do much but said I would give it a try....I shouldn't have asked !
I made a new base plug, applied an antler tip, and made a couple of brass ring fittings to attach a strap. The map is from one of the original contemporary drawings of the mythical Treasure Island and the ship is rigged like a mid 18th century "Hispaniola". The stopper is turned rosewood and is supposed to look like a ship's stern lantern. I tried to make the whole thing not look too hokey or cartoon like.
At any rate, this is how it came out......
(https://preview.ibb.co/hxdtux/Jarod_s_Horn_6.jpg) (http://ibb.co/cfGP1c)
(https://preview.ibb.co/iFL6Ex/Jarod_s_Horn_7.jpg) (http://ibb.co/diYhnH)
(https://preview.ibb.co/gDQHMc/Jarod_s_Horn_8.jpg) (http://ibb.co/fgqj1c)
(https://preview.ibb.co/e4ZoSH/Jarod_s_Horn_11.jpg) (http://ibb.co/cXyF7H)
(https://preview.ibb.co/n8aHMc/Jarod_s_Horn_14.jpg) (http://ibb.co/mqReZx)
(https://preview.ibb.co/jq8XnH/Jarod_s_Horn_15.jpg) (http://ibb.co/dnUGEx)
(https://preview.ibb.co/kDOREx/Jarod_s_Horn_16.jpg) (http://ibb.co/dmsa7H)
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Wasn't this horn posted somewhere before? __ It's uniquely different alright!
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Rick,
No...hasn't been posted before. Just finished this one last night. I have used the ship design before on another horn though.
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Absolutely stunning! Isn't there an old saying about making a silk purse from a sow's ear?
If my old friend Clarence LeMaster were still alive,he would say it stands out like a goose egg in a coal bucket.Can you send those pictures to me at <wvgzr@webtv.net>? I would like to keep them in a folder.
Bob Roller
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Pete,
Nothing hokey or cartoonish about that horn, it is beautiful. Like Bob said about the sow's ear and a silk purse.
Mark
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CARTOONISH!!! It would take the skill of a surgeon and the patience of a cigar store Indian to remake that horn. Cartoonish would be the 1851 Colt Navy relica I saw years ago with an aircraft carrier engraved on the cylinder.Cartoonish describes some of the people in high office world wide.
This horn is not cartoonish.
Bob Roller
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What a horn! Dave, your engraving is incredible, the design and the layout are well thought out. Truly an heirloom quality piece.
I think I would get another $17 horn for him to play with :)
Tim C.
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Bob,
Love that line, "Cartoonish describes some of the people in high office world wide." I couldn't agree with you more. We have a whole host of elected cartoon characters here in California. They are just not as amusing as Bugs Bunny and the Roadrunner when they try to run every aspect of your life....and badly at that.
I would be happy to send you the pictures. I am a long time and great admirer of your work.
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WOW ... That's some great work! :o The horn itself is probably even amazed. ;D
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Some of them look like Sponge Bob or Phineas and Ferb. I will look forward to getting the pictures of that horn whenever it is convenient for you to send them.
Bob Roller
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Bob,
Pictures sent.
Dave C
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Dave - you are a craftsman. What a transition!
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A fitting horn to one of the all time great stories.
Looks like Long John himself should be carrying it.
Great "before and after"!
Mark
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I would gladly pay you $17 today for a reconstructed horn tomorrow. Just kidding, but what a great transition--totally beautiful craftmanship or pirate ship. I admire anyone that can do this quality of work. Thanks for sharing.
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In addition to the artistry involved ( :o) , you have done a wonderful thing for a young man. He has a treasure to keep and remember always. Kids need more of this kind of personal and meaningful attention from the adults in their lives. I'm sure he knows he's valued and loved. That makes a difference in the transition from boy to man. Thank you for inspiring all of us to do more.
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Would you adopt me as another nephew? I'll even bring the horn.
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Dave,your work never ceases to amaze me.Thanks!
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Dave,
I have to ask, are you using gravers to do the scrim? I've been trying my hand at it
and to be quite honest it's pathetic. I really need to find out what the proper tools are.
Your work is OUTSTANDING
RICH
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Rich,
Thanks for the note. I use gravers for some of the work (heavier, deeper lines), scribes (for intermediate line density and the very small lettering...most of the lettering on this horn is ~ 0.040" high and was done with a scribe), and knives for fine shading lines. I much prefer working on whale and elephant ivory to working horn, but then horn is much easier to come by and MUCH cheaper. I am about to do some work on hippo ivory. I'll see how that works. Not too cheap, but far easier to come by than whale and elephant ivory.
dave c
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What tool is used to do these chip carvings that I see on horns?
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Shreck,
Just a really sharp small round gouge.
DC
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Superb work, Dave.
The rings and "fixtures" (for lack of the correct term) to hold suspension straps remind me of those found on "Gunner's Horns." Was that your inspiration for them?
I know there are a good number of original horns with those on them and I have to admit that it still surprises me when I see them as it looks like they would cause the horn to split during usage. Did they and/or you use some kind of leather washer inside the horn so it would not split?
Gus
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Beautifully made, a fine treasure for a young man. Well done sir.
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In addition to the artistry involved ( :o) , you have done a wonderful thing for a young man. He has a treasure to keep and remember always. Kids need more of this kind of personal and meaningful attention from the adults in their lives. I'm sure he knows he's valued and loved. That makes a difference in the transition from boy to man. Thank you for inspiring all of us to do more.
Amen.
-Ron
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You got skills my friend ;D
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Artificer,
The rings on this horn are patterned after others I have seen, although I custom make the one I use in either brass or sterling silver. The rear ring has a wood screw base that is firmly set through the horn and into the base plug. The forward ring has a machine threaded base that goes through a hole in the horn and is sealed with glue. The threaded shaft also has a wide nut (actually a curved, threaded, brass plate) installed on the inside of the horn with a long tool I built just to install these. The nut is also glued in place to prevent it from coming loose. I have never had one of these rings cause a horn to split yet and I don't see them as being much different than a staple….actually better with the interior plate.
Dave C
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Would you adopt me as another nephew? I'll even bring the horn.
Ditto for me,I will bring Beer,or Rum------arrrrrrrrrrrrrr.Great work.When I was 9, I was really hungup on Treasure Island,too.Dave
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Artificer,
The rings on this horn are patterned after others I have seen, although I custom make the one I use in either brass or sterling silver. The rear ring has a wood screw base that is firmly set through the horn and into the base plug. The forward ring has a machine threaded base that goes through a hole in the horn and is sealed with glue. The threaded shaft also has a wide nut (actually a curved, threaded, brass plate) installed on the inside of the horn with a long tool I built just to install these. The nut is also glued in place to prevent it from coming loose. I have never had one of these rings cause a horn to split yet and I don't see them as being much different than a staple….actually better with the interior plate.
Dave C
Very interesting. Thanks for the added information.
Gus
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Toys?????????? Dang!
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Just AWESOME is all I can come up with for that kind of work! ;D
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Wow. Simply amazing work. Is it too late to get in the adoption queue? :o
Greg
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Great looking horn!
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Now that's a horn that will surely leave one's eyes bulging. What a transformation! I got a cheapo horn a few years back. I worked on it to make it more usable. Now it looks even worse but it does work great for my needs.
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Wow!! So much skill displayed. That horn will be treasured for a long time to come.
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Absolutely stunning work !!!Treasure Island is one of my all time favs,and this horn is just awesome. I bet your young men are blown away!!! Dave F 8) 8)
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Your work, as always, is impeccable. What is child's play for you would be a monumental achievement for most of us.
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It's good to see this thread brought up again. Lovely work.
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Dave, I, too, am glad that it was brought up the que a bit.
Your "Treasure Island" horn is truly a masterpiece. Layout and artwork are really top-notch, and the whole thing needs to go in an art museum.
My inspired mind will long remember this $17 horn!
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Excellent work. I like the attention to detail, and really fine scrimshaw.
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Just goes to show you can make a silk purse from a sow's ear-----if you have the skill!
Fred
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Awesome work,........and this will make me look at those "cheap" horns a little different form now on. Never looked at them to be repurposed and improved,.but why not. Thanks for posting.
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I love this. I'm a huge treasure island fan. Great job
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Thanks for the kind compliments. I have done a half a dozen of this type of horn re-worked from a very inexpensive one. I gave all of them away to friends and family before I took any before and after pictures. I do have the very first horn I ever owned. I was about 10. I have often been tempted to re-work it but haven't really decided if I should just leave it as it is. I will post a picture another thread.
Thanks again.
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Dave not to shabby for a one eyed craftsman . Lol. Excellent work their.
That is sure to be a fine keep sake. Oldtravler