Bison horn

[Jim Curlee]

I bought the flat horn, at a southern Minnesota farm auction back in the 80s.
I was inspired, and I've always wanted to make a horn with a critter carved into it.





Fast forward to about 8-10 years ago.
I found a couple of bison horns, and formed a plan.
RudyCs sister made me a strap out of hemp fibres.
I started the horn then life jumped in, and we retired, and moved.

It's been pretty nice the last week or so, so I've been sittin in the sun on the south side of the house, absorbing some heat, and finishing up some old projects.
I finished up the bison horn.
Thought you guy's might get a kick out of seein it.









Bison horn
Cowhorn plug, which I carved a bit curved, so you put the plug in horizontal, then turn it vertical, and it locks into the horn
Rawhide to attach the strap to the horn
Braided braintan buckskin for the plug strap
Hemp strap
Eastern red cedar plug with a copper staple made from a copper nail
Melted trap wax for a finish
I sanded to 800 grit, on the back part
320 grit on the front, makes it look furry-er. lol

Jim

[Tim Crosby]

 Nice work. That flat horn is quite a find.

    Tim C.

[Jim Curlee]

Tim;

I had thought about restoring the old flat horn, but decided to let the horn enjoy it's retirement.

I also scored another old plain horn, and a Sharon rifle kit that day, didn't have enough coin for the wood-canvas canoe.
Although I did buy the canoe a number of years later at another farm auction, that time it had a hole the size of a bushel basket in the side.
Did manage to restore it, and now it's a fine canoe.

Jim

[jbigley]

I like them both. The old flat horn is pretty cool, but you really knocked it outta the park with the bison. Cedar base plug really sets it off.
As an aside, I would be interested in seeing pictures of the wood/ canvas canoe (I had a friend when I was stationed in VA many years ago who made one, then got divorced and offered it to sell it to me. I would have loved to buy it --it was amazingly light and manageable-- but didn't have any place to keep it, so had to pass. Although nominally stationed in VA, we got deployed at the buzz of a pager, so I was rarely "home." Someone else got a great watercraft). Also would like to see some pics of the Sharon rifle.  I noticed the obsidian chunks -- are you also a knapper? Just curious.  Thanks for posting.  --JB

[Jim Curlee]

JB:

The obsidian is the wife's, she collects rocks. lol

I do hunt with a longbow, and hunted for about 15 years with nuthin  but a hunk of firewood(osage orange).
Never did try stone points.
My friend (Butch) bought some from a guy in the winter, he thought he'd give-em a shot, so he went out, and proceeded to break-em all shooting into his frozen backstop. LOL
After that I had no interest in shooting stone points(lol), by the by, they are illegal to use in Minnesota anyway.

Here's a couple pics of the canoe in my story, I have a number of canoes, but I really like the guide style boats.
The decks were gone, and it had a way big hole in the side, replaced a bunch of ribs, and planking, turned out pretty nice.
I think it was a Mason canoe they were made in Canada, 16', and about 67 lbs.







I'll dig the Sharon out later, she's not stock I made a fiddleback maple stock for it from a plank that I got from Rudy.

Jim

[jbigley]

That is one fine looking canoe. You did a great job on the repair. I never did get one -- not even an aluminum Grumman. (Sigh). Someday, maybe.
Still interested in seeing your Sharon.
You should try knapping stone tools. If you do that well with horns and canoes, you oughtta be amazing with stone tools.
As an aside, a little FYI: Most projectile points in aboriginal times were made from something other than stone, for the same reasons your friend discovered to his dismay: they break easily. It is estimated that less than 25% were stone points. The rest were bone, antler, shell, beaten copper, plain ol' wood. I even have some arrow points made from Gar-fish scales. Of course, ferrous metal points were in high demand, post contact.
Thanks for posting.  --JB

[old george]

That cedar butt plug just catches the eye. Not a big fan of buffalo horns but I'd make an exception on that one.

george

[Jim Curlee]

George:
I cut that red cedar on my sawmill, so that adds a little extra ju ju to the project.
Jim