Making a Powder Horn

[Bob Gerard]

I have been working on a new Powder Horn for a couple of days. I took some photos along the way but (of course) forgot to take some during the end of the project.
It is a steer horn, and quite long. I wanted very pronounced profiling but there were areas in the horn where the layers (?) of material had separated (the horn is like millions of layers of fingernails, something like an onion) and so I had to carve below them. It was disheartening to have to change my mental 'design', though I usually change it along the way anyhow, but in the end I am pleased with the result.
I believe the extended lip of the horn body at the base for securing the strap was somewhat popular during the French & Indian War period in the Colonies, if I remember correctly. It's a nice way to secure the back strap so I've been making them that way. I am not sure if I will be keeping this one or selling it, it seems to have a nice charming look to it.
Someday if I find a raw horn with a nice white surfacing toward the base area I hope to do some scrimshawing on it. For this one, because it has so many pits and such that I just did some deep line carving. It's my first time adding some additional tinting (red on this one) and I really like the effect.
The length from nozzle to plug is just over 12".













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[Kmcmichael]

Very nice. Type of stain?

[Tim Crosby]

 Amazing what you can get out of a sows ear isn't it. Nicely done.

   Tim C.

[old george]

That is a very nice looking horn I agree with Tim comment.

george

[Marcruger]

Cool horn and polychrome sir!

[Cades Cove Fiddler]

  .... I like it, Bob,...everything well done ,.. I have found the faceted tip, usually with eight flats to be a feature common to North Carolina horns,.... great job,... !!! ... CCF

[Spalding]

Very unique looking horn, well done.

Bob

[Greg Pennell]

Nicely done…love the coloration!

Greg