AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Contemporary Accoutrements => Topic started by: taterbug on February 03, 2023, 07:41:37 PM
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I had cut this horn into two pieces, I thought I might use the tip for a measure since the horn is sort of small, the base was cracked, and thought I would always want a lot more powder at my side. Now I want to re-attach the two halves and make it whole again. I did cut off the cracks at the base and re-fitted the base plug. Good so far.
Thinking of making a metal band to encircle the cut, about an inch wide, with a row of tacks (screws?) on either side of the cut. I can put epoxy (or hide glue or some other goop) under it to help seal and hold things together a bit too.
Should the repair band be thin brass? Copper? Steel? Can do any of the three, but wondering if brass will have a tendency to crack? Since this will be more of a structural piece, and not just decorative, is this a valid concern?
And, should I pre-drill holes for the tacks, or pins, or screws? Im thinking yes. It is still nearly 1/4" thick in the area around the cut, and dont want to risk cracking or splitting anything. Just trying to avoid tossing the whole thing in the trash, but I may not have the skills to avoid it at this point. If it returns
to being just a wall hanger again, I guess thats ok too.
Thanks for any advice or previous experience you can relate!
JB
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How about trimming until one slips inside the other with a half inch overlap and hide glue and peg it together?
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i had thought of that, still thinking on it too. This thing was already small, smaller still after I trimmed off the cracks on the base. I suppose it could serve as a good priming horn by the time I slide one piece inside the other with enough overlap.
I had just hoped I was at a spot I could just pin it together with a band (band-aid?). I'm learning I don't really like working with horn.
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Pix would help. One way to do it and maybe make it a little longer is to add a piece of horn to the middle. If you want to try that send me some outside measurements, I've got a big box of pieces here and I'm sure something will fit. I would heat all three pieces and force/tap them together, with the horn soft it will form itself to each cut off. Easier to do than write up.
Tim C.
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Horn repairs with metal would typically be non-sparking varieties. - For obvious reasons.
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Tim, thanks for that offer. I'm still thinking about that too. I know pics would help, but I hate going through that exercise even more than I hate working with horn. but at least I can type! ;D
Top Jaw, had not considered that! Dang! And I was imagining a nicely patinaed steel band with contrasting brass tacks. Oh well. I was wondering more along the lines of sparks from static electricity. At least I was thinking, a little...
Looking at it a bit more, I may have the skills, and desire, to reduce ID of one end, and OD of the other to make a snug fit, with tacks or wood pegs and hide glue to secure the two parts.
This was one of those horns that I later saw described in a TOTW catalog as "economy horn, may require more work to finish drilling spout to the main compartment." A relative presented it to me at a modern show. I think he felt guilty when he found out that it was my birthday. I think I remember seeing them for about $14 that day. So not a pretty thing (mostly black now after trimming off the cracks at the base), and not useful without more work. But it does have a bit of sentimental value, I was thrilled to get it that day.
Of course later I learned that it only held about 20 grains of powder under the plug at the spout. After taking out the tacks at the base, I also realized I did not have tools or skills to fix at the time, so it just got put away into a box under the workbench.
Now that I trimmed off the base, and realized how thick it is towards the tip, it really does not hold much.
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Spending time on a marginal horn as starting material is either vexing or a good stretch of creativity. Good luck with it.