Sealing a horn?

[Roger B]

I have a new buffalo powder horn that was done for me by the Sibley's as an impression of the (probably engraved by) Catlin horn in the Audobon collection.  My experience with bison horn is that it "brooms" pretty readily and I would like to keep this one in good shape.  Do any of you ever seal your horns, and if so, with what?
Roger B.

[The Original Griz]

This may help, but if Scott made it, I wouldn't do anything to it....He makes a fine horn.
http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=31905.0

[sz]

If you are not in a hurry one way to do it is to mix about 1oz of Elmer’s waterproof carpenters glue with 1/2 oz water (yup, it's water proof when it dries but it's also water soluble)  This makes the glue pretty thin.  Now pour it all into the horn and then rotate the horn until it’s totally coated inside.
Next put your mouth over the tip and pressurize it a bit.  The glue is forced into every crack and hole and with about 1 minute of pressure it will leak out of small voids to the outside.  Wipe off any small leaks.
Pour it all back out and then set the horn in a window and let it warm for about 30-35minutes.  Turn it and let it warm on the other side about 1 hour. Turn it back again and let it set there for 3-4  weeks.
After the 4 weeks the glue is all dry and you can fill the horn with powder.  It will last forever.
 As I said, it’s not fast, but it really works well.

[J Henry]

  Sealing the outside or inside????Got to go with Griz on this,,if Scot built it, more like as not, he knew that and took steps to prevent it from happening..If not get back with Scott....

[Roger B]

Thanks, guys.  I really appreciate your advice.  I was thinking about the outside simply because my other bison horn wants to "delaminate".  I really had not thought about the quality of the work being the difference, only the properties of the material.
Roger O. Blevins

[J Henry]

  That is a problem with Bison horns,,I have done black horns but they were Beef and they do not delaminate and work just as good.
   

[skillman]

In my experience FWIW, some Buff horn will start to sprout hair after being worked and some will not. I use lard to heat and shape my horns and I used to think this helped. It might, but I have had this problem with a few that were done this way. Crack cream for hands seems to help keep horns "alive" longer. Zim's is one brand but there are many available at the drug stores. Between bugs, ultraviolet light, and just drying out, horns are always going to be a little unstable.

Steve