horns

[omark]

This may be a very stupid question, seems as my wife thinks most of them are, but here goes. In looking at old drawings, I have seen several powder horns carried in what I would call backwards, the small end to therear. Was tthis common a and if so, why? Do any of you carry that way? If so, why?

Thanks, Mark

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

What kind of pictures, and pictures of whom?
To answer your question - No!

[skillman]

I have never seen any drawings that would show the horn being carried as you describe. To me, I feel it would be very awkward. I suppose it could be done. Just see no reason to do it that way.

Steve

[axelp]

I too have seen several illustrations/paintings and movies where the subject carries their horn backwards. I asked this same question a few years ago and the consensus was that when you practice the art of loading while running, that arrangement actually works pretty very efficiently. I have never tried it.

K

[Chris Treichel]

I have seen some powder horns... especially European ones with a spout out of the base plate... more like a pulverine.  Is that what you are referring to?

[Chris Treichel]

Like this... http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/arms-armor/a-german-engraved-cow-horn-powder-flask-an-5305662-details.aspx

Then again you mention Hollywood...

[axelp]

Nope. the horn actually hangs backwards and the spout arrangement is usual.

actually if I recall, Daniel Day Lewis in the movie Last of the Mohicans carried his horn backwards in at least a few scenes, but maybe it was a different movie… regardless I thought it strange when I first saw it. I have also seen this in paintings too and wondered about it.

A living historian that I talked to, said that it can help in the loading process when you are running, if the horn is pointed backwards… Not sure if that is true--have never tried it. The gent was Michael Archer…. was he funning with me?

K

[Habu]

Normally I'd say "try it and see" but the guys experimenting with loading on the run pretty much throw out the safety rules.  What they are doing is an attempt to re-create a combat technique, where the risk of the modified loading technique is outweighed by the certainty of death or injury if you don't reload fast.  From period descriptions, a similar technique was used by many to load on horseback when running buffalo. 

Carrying the horn with the spout to the rear allows for pulling the horn forward and pouring powder directly from the horn into the muzzle, using the duration of the charge to approximate the powder charge.  The horn is then "dropped" to fall back into place, a bare ball (usually undersized) is dropped down the bore, and the butt of the gun "thumped" on the ground or saddle.  The gun is then ready to fire. 

This speeds up the loading process by eliminating a number of steps that require fine-motor movements, substituting steps that are accomplished with gross-motor movements.  It also places the gun and shooter at a not-insignificant risk of the horn contents igniting when pouring powder down the just-fired bore due to a remaining spark in the bore, or of the gun barrel bursting when the ball is not seated on the powder. 

[bigbat]

I have seen a couple of pictures like this also.  Maybe he was just leaving his best friends wives place or maybe it is "artists misconception"  I cannot see anyway reason for doing it this way, but never say never.

[omark]

I had seen this arrangement a few times and chalked it up to "Hollywood" but then saw it in some original paintings and drawings on this forum but don't remember exactly where.
    Thanks for all of the replies, Mark