Had the opportunity to pick up another screw-tip horn from Art DeCamp at Dixon's today and seized the opportunity immediately. Art is a true, educated gentleman, and with ten of his products, I might be his best customer. Art is my favorite horner, and there are quite a few accomplished ones in these parts. This master studies the early powder horns and has thoroughly examined how they were built and finished. His copies of originals are remarkable, right down the finest detail.
About a year ago I asked my friend to knock out a classic Dauphin County horn for my grouping. I have a couple Berks, a Lehigh, a Philadelphia, a York, a Lebanon, two Lancasters, a Franklin (made after an original I sold him), and this recent Dauphin.
I never discussed specs., as I figured he knew more about it than I did. He did not disappoint! Stunning but simple colors, correct tip architecture, superior overall presentation. How he can get the depth of color and hint of age without any 'washed out' or commercial appearance is nothing short of remarkable.
Don't overlook the quality and value of Art's work. It can not be surpassed and he is most fair in his pricing. The same consistent quality goes into all his horns, but no two are identical.
I have enjoyed original screw-tips for over two decades. I like them as much as I like the guns. What has been missing is a definitive book on the specific subject, replete with definitions of regional school characteristics as well as color photos of some classic examples. Not that there aren't horn books, there just isn't a base source exclusive to screw tip horns. That will change when Art comes forth with his research. I look forward to this publication. It will warrant a place one every Kentucky rifle enthusiasts' bookshelf.
Art will be at Lexington and will likely have several of his horns available there. He has been known to sell out and he never has a great inventory because they move fast and take time to build.
We play a game here in my shop with the standard blackpowder hunters who drop by now and then. We call it pick the original. I'll take one or two crisp originals from a given school and stick one of Art's jobs in as the third. When asked to pick the new one, there's a 50-50 chance that a person familiar with shooting and carrying a horn simply can't do it. His work is that good.
Thanks, Art. Your horns are exceptional, your work most appreciated. Keep turning a few out. Wayne
