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Author Topic: Nice old simple horn  (Read 5085 times)

JohnnyM

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Nice old simple horn
« on: August 25, 2010, 05:26:26 PM »
Here's an old (I think) horn I picked up a few years back for a song.  I like it's simple architecture.  It's scraped thin.  About 11" along the longest curve and about 2 1/2" diameter butt plug.  Very thin, tiny staple. The neat thing is, due to the curve of the horn and the intelligent placement of the staple, this horn will hang nice on either side of the body.






Here's a closeup of the spout.  The remnant of the plug is in real tight. Any attempt to remove it will just chew up the wood.


This would make a nice horn for my squirrel huntin' rig.  What do you think?  Thanks for looking.
Johnny
« Last Edit: September 01, 2010, 06:30:10 PM by Tim Crosby »
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Offline Dr. Tim-Boone

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Re: Nice old simple horn
« Reply #1 on: August 25, 2010, 06:01:53 PM »
That would make a nice horn for any rig!!!  If it were me I would drill out the plug and replace it unless you just want a shelf ornament......
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Offline Tim Crosby

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Re: Nice old simple horn
« Reply #2 on: August 25, 2010, 07:02:47 PM »
 A classsic. If you decide to drill it out start with a very small bit and then use a needle file to finish the job. A large bit or using a series of larger bits may cause the horn to crack.

 Tim
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Offline Ky-Flinter

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Re: Nice old simple horn
« Reply #3 on: August 25, 2010, 07:18:39 PM »
Very nice old horn, indeed!

As a suggestion, if you decide to remove the spout plug, drill a small hole and screw an eye-screw into the hole for something to pull on.  Maybe a little oil or WD40 would help.  If the wood is real crumbly, perhaps it can be picked into pieces after drilling a small hole in the center.

-Ron
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JohnnyM

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Re: Nice old simple horn
« Reply #4 on: August 26, 2010, 06:43:50 AM »
Thank you gentlemen for your replies and suggestions.  My inclination was always to drill 'er out and use 'er.  Think I'll do it.  Hope she's air tight.
Regards,
Johnny
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Offline smylee grouch

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Re: Nice old simple horn
« Reply #5 on: August 28, 2010, 05:21:43 AM »
A little melted beeswax might seal it up if it leaks.    Gary
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Offline trentOH

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Re: Nice old simple horn
« Reply #6 on: August 30, 2010, 02:29:50 AM »
Maybe you could turn some termites loose on it for a couple of days, and they would eat out just the plug?????
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Offline G. Elsenbeck

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Re: Nice old simple horn
« Reply #7 on: August 30, 2010, 02:46:01 AM »
Johnny that is one fine old classical style powder horn and is a quality horn in all respects.  Fine find and thanks for sharing with us.  And like the good Doctor mentioned, it would look great with any hunting bag. 
Gary
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david50

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Re: Nice old simple horn
« Reply #8 on: August 30, 2010, 02:58:59 AM »
that is just the kind of horn i like,nice and simple,nothin fancy.
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Offline Kermit

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Re: Nice old simple horn
« Reply #9 on: August 30, 2010, 04:53:29 AM »
Can you tell what pins the plug in place? Curious... :-\
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JohnnyM

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Re: Nice old simple horn
« Reply #10 on: August 30, 2010, 06:11:16 PM »
Here's some more detailed shots of my horn.
The butt plug is fastened with iron "nails".  They are not uniform in shape and are filed flush with the horn.  I checked with a magnet and they are indeed iron.




The maker used many such nails on one side and a lot less on the other.



I was able to pull the spout plug.  Got a good grip with a needle nose pliers and slowly twisted back and forth.  Looks like hand whittled from a branch or twig.  Note the powdered wood fibers from where the plug was crushed from the pliers.



Well, I checked for "air tightness" by blowing into the horn and she leaks like a sieve.  Air feels like she's blowing from the sides where the butt plug is fitted.  Couldn't feel any air from around the staple which is good.
So, whatcha think? Should I attempt to seal 'er up or just let her keep settin' on the shelf.  I do have some deer tallow/bee's wax mix somewhere (probably not with me at the moment).
Thanks for looking and many thanks for your input and interest.
Regards,
Johnny
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