Indian trade horns

[Austin]

Anyone have a picture or description of what a powder horn that would have been sold/ traded on the frontier looked like? Im sure it was functional and easily produced…

[rich pierce]

Anyone have a picture or description of what a powder horn that would have been sold/ traded on the frontier looked like? Im sure it was functional and easily produced…

I think we can only speculate that they had turned plugs and could hold a good bit of powder. Were the nicer turned horns with applied tips just for people of means?
When we do see horns with what appear to be Native American decorations many of these do seem simple, with flat plugs and a staple.

It’s also hard to know which horns were “trade horns”.
https://americanindian.si.edu/collections-search/.   (Search for powder horn)

[Austin]

How would the strap have been attached? My guess is they would have used the fastest, least cost methods available…. I don’t know what that was for sure?

[rich pierce]

How would the strap have been attached? My guess is they would have used the fastest, least cost methods available…. I don’t know what that was for sure?

Simplest idea a staple in the butt plug and a step at the spout. https://www.skinnerinc.com/auctions/2524B/lots/827

[okieboy]

 Agree with Rich about how, but wonder if they would have been sold without a strap and the buyer would provide their own.

[RAT]

For photos see page 121 of "Trade Guns of the Hudson's Bay Company 1670-1970" by S. James Gooding.

[Notchy Bob]

There was a very interesting article in the Spring 2008 issue of the Museum of the Fur Trade Quarterly, "What the Indians wanted and what they didn't want - 1843."  The bulk of the article was a letter from Alfred Brunson, Indian Agent at LaPointe, Wisconsin, to Territorial Governor J.D. Doty, dated January 10, 1843.  So, the items mentioned were issued as annuity payments rather than trade goods, but Mr. Brunson seemed to genuinely care about the people's needs. 

Among the many other items mentioned, Brunson said, "They want no more Sportsmans powder horns, or shot pouches, give them ox horns & they can make their own powder horns."

I don't know if this is a "trade" horn or not, but this pouch and horn set, from the Sioux, is in the Smithsonian:



This Assiniboine outfit is from the American Musem of Natural History:



There are a lot of native horns in museums, although it's hard to say which ones are trade horns, versus those obtained in raids or battles, or horns made by their owners. 

Notchy Bob

[Austin]

Great! Thanks!

[Jeff Murray]

It might also depend on what you describe as frontier.  When Kentucky and Ohio were considered frontier, access to "manufactured" horns with turned plugs was likely much more accessible.  As you move west to the mountains, function likely overcame fashion.  Fur trappers might go months without access to powder so capacity was also an issue unless they were traveling with a well supplied brigade.  They needed hardy gear that could endure constant exposure to the elements.

[B.Barker]

Austin, someone did a talk on Indian trade horns at one of the old woodland Indian conferences. I don't remember the particulars of the talk now. He used old day books and lists from Indian traders. What I do remember from the talk was powder horns were listed and sold or traded by how much powder they held. I think they started at 1/2 pound and went to 1-1/4 or 1-1/2 pounds.