Original Blowing Horns

[Jefferson58]

Hi Folks:

Tim Crosby asked to see these photos after I mentioned that I owned two originals, so here they are. I thought the rest of you might find them interesting as well.

The top horn is from central North Carolina. I purchased it on Ebay last year when they sold off some things from an estate there. No one knew what it was, so it did not get many bids. It is about 20" around the curve. The base opening is about 3.75" at the widest, but the base is not completely round. The opening is shaped  somewhat like a fish mouth. There is an interesting "bulge" carved in the throat which I suppose was to hold one end of the strap.

The bottom horn is from the Floyd, Virginia area. I found it hanging in a shop there last Fall. It is also around 20" or more in length, and has a screw tip mouthpiece. The shop owner could not figure out how the ring below it was put on the horn since it rotates somewhat freely around the horn. I just didn't say anything at the time. The base opening is also about 3.75" and you can see where one of the strap holes has broken out. The body of the horn shows a lot of knife marks from scraping.

Both horns have a very loud, deep tone and sound great. It is interesting how folks in the Southern Appalachians communicated with them across the mountains. A friend of mine from Georgia, Billy Griner, has some wonderful stories about his great or great, great grandfather coming home from The War Between the States and blowing horns.

Hope you enjoy them. If I can fit everything in, I will bring them to the CLA show as well.

Jeff Bibb

[Randy Hedden]

Great looking blowing horns.  I bought a beautiful one off of Ebay a few years ago.  I believe I got it cheap because the seller described it as simply a Mexican horn.  It has great form and a double twist.  The only problem with it is that someone had "cleaned" it.  It is really a nice old horn, but most of the patina is gone.  Maybe I will have to take a coule of pictures to post here.

Randy Hedden

[Tim Crosby]

  OUTSTANDING! They are fine examples, they look like the ones that I used to see in use.
   Floyd Co, man I have spent some time up there. Used to shoot over at Randy Weeks place, I think they still do. good people, great times. And the Application Folk Life Festival at Ferum College is something to see. 
 By all means if you can bring them to Lexington.

 Tim C.

PS: Yes, I talked to Billy at the HCH dinner, He is wealth of information on blowing  horns. Someone should record an interview with him on them.TC   

[Ky Ken]

I have two old blowing horns left to me by my Grandfather, they have silver mouth pieces he used to call his hunting dogs with them in Ky.

[Tim Crosby]

I have two old blowing horns left to me by my Grandfather, they have silver mouth pieces he used to call his hunting dogs with them in Ky.

 Got any pics? I for one would like to see them.

 Thanks, Tim C.

[Dancy]

I have one my dad bought in SC 40 or 50 years ago, has a bone mouth piece.

-Is there anyway to tell the age?

-What/how were they used? To call the dogs? To signal others? Can anyone tell me more about their common use?

Thanks,

James

[G. Elsenbeck]

Here's a photo of a pair (brace?) of blowing horns from KyKen.  Thanks Ken.
Gary

[Jefferson58]

If Mr. Dancy, or anyone else, wants good additional information about blowing horns, you can email my friend, Billy Griner at billy.griner@navy.mil. Billy has done a lot of research and  knows a lot about the history of these horns in the south. He loves to talk to folks about them.

Thanks for all the great responses. It is great to see some other blowing horns as well. I wish they were recognized more in the world of accoutrements.

Jeff