Original Southern Bag Horn

[Jefferson58]

Hi Folks:

Here's something interesting I picked up at the CLA show. An older gentleman had a box of old horns and flasks at the end of his table with "junk" prices on them. I poked around and found this. A little beeswax and it is sealed up and ready for another century of use.

I believe this is what would commonly be referred to as a "bag horn." It is 7.5" around the curve, and about 2.5" across the widest point of the base. It is very oval with the oval shape running top to bottom. The base plug is 3/8" thick leather and shaped to the irregular large end of the horn. The spout plug is very sharply tapered and held on with a piece of string, secured into the top of the horn. The finish is very rough and not smoothed down much at all. I couldn't resist it when I saw it. Hope you enjoy it.

Jeff

[BrownBear]

That's great!  Showing my ignorance, I never thought of a leather plug in the base,  I'm assuming those are pins or brads pushed into the leather to hold it in place? 

Though I've got my strapped horns, bag horns really appeal to my taste in functionality for hunts.  Fewer straps to mind in the brush, and a guy could start a small war with the powder in one.  Less powder to risk on wet days, too.  My everyday hunting horn is similar size, and it holds 1000 grains.  If a guy needs more than that, he needs new glasses even more.

A pure common sense horn for a common man.

[RonT]

I'm curious about the "retention leash" on the spout plug.  Will assume that it is drilled through and knotted on the inside and maybe sealed.   I have these on my horns but all are braided around a lip onder the spout. 
Now I gotta' make one like that....
R

[G. Elsenbeck]

Why make another hole? 
Gary

[Jefferson58]

To answer the questions, the "pins" are small, forged tacks that hold the base in place. Being 3/8" thick, there is plenty to "nail to." I have seen a couple of other original horns with leather base plugs. It is thick stuff and of course if you cut it to a very tight fit, wet it, and then place it in the base, it can make a pretty good seal on its own.

The hole for the spout plug keeper string is drilled through and knotted on the inside. I sealed it with wax and it does not leak. Again, I have seen this on a couple of other old horns. It does require maintenance to be sure it stays sealed, but the hole is very small.

Thanks,

Jeff

[RonT]

Thanks Jeff.   I use braided Irish linen carpet thread (three lay) for my "leashes" now, but for one like this am thinking about a piece of Groundhog rawhide.  Maybe cut with a little swell on the hole end of the thong to self seal the hole, then dab a little pine pitch for good measure.
Thanks for the idea.
R

[BrownBear]

Thanks Jeff.  I've got some leather that qualifies, and your description makes perfect sense. 

[Randy Hedden]

Once again I cannot see the pictures posted by Jeff.  I see nothing but a large blank space at the end of Jeff's post. This only happens with Jeff's pictures.  Anyone have an idea why??

Randy Hedden

[G. Elsenbeck]

Randy, fyi, I right clicked and properties do say .jpg formats so I wouldn't have a clue as why you're having a problem.  Have you fiddled around with pics lately or something else that may have caused your problem?
Gary

[Jefferson58]

I hope no one else is having problems viewing my photos. I paste them in from Photobucket just the way you guys told me too. They are 800x600 jpeg format, or 600x800, which ever it is. Let me know if I am doing anything wrong.

Thanks,

Jeff

[John Archer]

Jeff...you're not doing anything wrong. Your pics are showing up just fine.

John.

[Randy Hedden]

Jeff,

I am at my son's house babysitting and on his computer I can see your pictures just fine.  The problem I am experiencing is with my computer at home and I can't understand why I can see everyone else's pictures just fine and not be able to see your pictures.  Obviously it has something to do with my computer and nothing that you have done.

Randy Hedden

[smorrison]

Jeff, neat little original horn!  Like others, I've never thought of using thick leather for a butt plug.  Now I'm gonna have to try that...
Scott