Mecklenburg County NC horn Fig 41 in Briggs' powder horn book.

[Rick Sheets]

I was looking at this screw off base horn (Fig. 41)  in Piedmont North Carolina Banded Powder Horns by Michael Briggs.
Question:
The threads are obviously hand cut. I could do the threads on the shank no problem. But how in the world would someone cut a thread in the hole? I know I could just use modern taps and dies, but these threads are much more sexy.

I would like to make a similar horn for my living history display.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

Rick Sheets

[Tim Crosby]

 Hey Rick how's it go'n? I have his Piedmont N.C. Banded Powder Horns Hunting Bags & Bullet Molds, is it the same book? Cause mine only goes to Fig 38 and they're powder measures. Maybe it is a newer edition. Screw off Base, I am trying to picture it, would like to see the horn, sounds interesting. Not much help.

  Tim

[Rick Sheets]

This is from the "new expanded" edition. So you don't have it in the original edition. This particular horn is speculated to be from the 1812 era and a militia horn. I tend to agree. It is not a banded horn. It is clearly professionally made.

[John Proud]

Rick,

I don't have that book. Can you post a picture? Intriguing design.

[Rick Sheets]

John,

Michael Briggs holds the copyright of that picture, so I can't.

But I will make a drawing of the mechanics of the butt and post it later.

The mating surface of the two halves of the butt and lock-up is very simple and effective. The angle of tread is very steep, so I do not think it was chased into the hole. The thread engagement is only about 2.5 threads.

Rick

[skillman]

Brian LeMaster told me he has seen a number of what he felt were Southern horns with screw off butts. He didn't have pictures he could share but his description sounded similar to what you're describing Rick.

Steve

[Marcruger]

Mine isn't the expanded one either Tim.  :-( 

[Tim Crosby]

Brian LeMaster told me he has seen a number of what he felt were Southern horns with screw off butts. He didn't have pictures he could share but his description sounded similar to what you're describing Rick.

Steve

 I have seen a number of Southern horns, not necessarily Ringed but have never seen one with a screw off butt, come to think about it I have never seen one from anywhere. Now I have seen many where the finial screws in but I do not think that's what this one is. That is why it sounds interesting/unusual.

  Tim

[Marcruger]

Hey Rick.  You might want to ask Art DeCamp.  He recently added a threaded base "knob" to my ancient heirloom Iceland horn.  He cut the threads by hand to match the internal threads.  He did a super job. 

I think Art might know a "little" about horn matters.   ;-)   

Happy Fathers Day,   Marc

[skillman]

Brian sees many things he can't "share" as do you and I Tim. From what he described there was a base that was pinned into the butt and then threaded to accept the majority of the plug which threaded into that. Left most of the butt open when removed. I've seen a similar horn by John Proud however the hole in the butt is nowhere as large.

Steve