Gourd Powder Horn

[WGKilgore]

I have been handed down a gourd containing active black gunpowder. It is about 13 inches tall and has wadded-up paper as a stopper. The original owner was from south Louisiana and at least 4 generations preceding me.
It is my hope that someone will provide me with some information about this object and if it is unique enough to be of any value.



Thanks in advance for any assistance you can offer.

Kind Regards,
William Kilgore

[Tim Crosby]

 Pictures would be Great.

    Tim C.

[Daryl]

William- first of all, Welcome to the Forum.
As noted by Tim, pictures are pretty much necessary.
BTW - what is this "active" black gunpowder doing?

[Rajin cajun]

William, where in southeast Louisiana did this powder gourd come from?
I’m from that part of the state and items like that fascinate me .
Photos please.

Thanks bob

[mr. no gold]

Gourds are said to have been used as powder containers including horn/flasks. I have seen only one and it was a very small 'priming' flask which was no more than three inches high. These were used more extensively in other countries, I understand. Do show it to us as soon as you can get to it. Be a pleasure to see it.
Dick

[LynnC]

I have seen 2 original bottle powder gourds, one with powder still in it. They are pocket size. About 2-5/8” wide x 3” tall. They were found under a house in Columbus Miss. I was privileged to be given one by the owner. Mine has a dark paint slash mark on it. The other with stopper and powder intact was dated 1844.

[Rajin cajun]

The well known “Stephen Crain “ rifle was found with a small gourd for priming powder.

Bob

[Levy]

I have one just like that. I use it to keep bird shot in.  It's not an antique, but one that my Mom grew on the fence.  James Levy 

[WGKilgore]

A photo of my gourd:

[Hungry Horse]

 Gourds are not strong enough for shot unless they are small, and hold only a few shots. I stored my shot in a large dipper gourd when the sack rotted, and found it was pretty easy to break, and a mess to clean up.
 They are also pretty noisy if you don’t cover the outside cloth, or leather.

 Hungry Horse

[Tim Crosby]

 I moved the question on where to get Gourds and the replies to:

    https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=71715.0

[LynnC]

Hi Tim. The OP posted a picture of his antique powder gourd but it got moved to the post you separated out. Could it be moved back to this one? Thanks

[Tim Crosby]

Hi Tim. The OP posted a picture of his antique powder gourd but it got moved to the post you separated out. Could it be moved back to this one? Thanks

 Missed that one, is that it above?

    Tim

[LynnC]

Yes Tim. Now I am confused. Did I miss it above or did you restore it. It is certainly possible I lost my mind and missed it. At any rate, the photo is there. My apologies if it was there all along. Thanks Tim

[Tim Crosby]

Yes Tim. Now I am confused. Did I miss it above or did you restore it. It is certainly possible I lost my mind and missed it. At any rate, the photo is there. My apologies if it was there all along. Thanks Tim

 No your mind is in good shape but I have to question mine. I moved it back from the other thread.

   Tim

[LynnC]

Thanks Man. We are both now sane again 

[Panzerschwein]

Those are some happenin’ gourds, gang!