powder horn maintenence?

[fix]

Is there anything I need to do to keep my powder horns in good shape?

I don't oil them or anything. None of them have powder in them.

I just wondered if I should be waxing them, or oiling them, or washing them, or something like that.

Only one of the horns is dated, and it's from 1979. So, nothing really old, but I'd like to keep them around, and in good shape if I can.

Thanks

[Cory Joe Stewart]

Hey fix,

There are some insects that like to chew on horns and make little grooves in them.  I do not know what kind of bugs so you may want to include moth balls for long term storage. It happened to my horn hanging on the wall.  I pust paste wax on my horns and I have never had the need to redo that.  But my horns is used very often. 

Keep us posted.

Coryjoe

[fix]

I generally keep my horns hanging on a gun rack, in the basement. Temperature stays pretty constant, but I hadn't thought about bugs.

I kind of figured that some kind of wax was in order. I'll wait for a few more suggestions before I do anything  though.

I am thinking about using one of the plainer ones. I also have some plain horn that could become powder horns at a later date, If I ever get to them.

Thanks

[John A. Stein]

The bugs that eat holes in horns are the larva of carpet beetles and they are the little devils that eat your wool clothing. Horn and wool are essentially the same material, just different shapes. Carpet beetles are just about everywhere. Google them and you'll find out their life cycle. At one point in it they hitch-hike into your house via garden flowers. Nasty little^%%$&$$#s  John Stein

[Longknife]

Those little carpet beetles will also eat the horn inlays off of your rifle!!!! Don't ask me how I know,,,Ed