Buffalo’s Horns?

[Smokey Plainsman]

I know about the fancy St. Louis style buffalo horns with the pretty wood pieces, but were powder horns from the 1830s-1850s plains rifle type era ever buffalo in a more plain fashion? I am wondering if a bison horn would be appropriate for my Hawken when it’s done but am not going for one of the ultra-fancy (and expensive) St. Louis horns, more of a plain style, would that too be authentic?

-Smokey

[louieparker]

smokey something like this would work just dandy... LP


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[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Bison horns make excellent powder containers.  I had a large one once that held a full pound of powder.  Bison horns are very tough, both to work and to protect your powder.

[Smokey Plainsman]

smokey something like this would work just dandy... LP


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What a dandy pair!! Any more info on that bag & horn? Are those originals?

[Clark Badgett]

I think you have 2 of the best responses you can get.  A few years back I bought 2 buff horns intending to make some plains style horns, by the time I cut off all the rough area on the end, they were pretty short. I now have a bigger buff horn that I bought last year and someday it will be my Hawken horn. And it will have a nicely beaded strap with it too. I'm starting to learn the beading and quilling methods and I can sew quite well one I get used to it.

[flinchrocket]

That set is right down town. You would need a nice 58 Hawken to go with that!

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Bison horns are often very rough and shaggy at the base.  I spent four hours with a horseshoe rasp removing material before I finally got down to black horn.  Even then the base of the horn was very thick...around 1/4"

[Clark Badgett]

Looks kind of brown. Could that maybe be an eastern Buff horn?