Crudely made horn with schrimshaw

[Dale Halterman]

Picked this up at an estate auction about 15 years ago in Chester County, PA. It was so dusty when I bought it that I didn't realize it had carving until I wiped it off. Apparently no one else noticed it either since I got it for $10.

The spout has 10 facets filed into it.



The butt plug is flat and shaped to fit the horn, attached by iron nails and has a small iron staple for strap attachment.



In this view you can see a sailing ship, some figures, and some scratching that I can't make out.



Another sailing ship and more scratching.



Bird, another figure and some animals.



Dale H

[Kevin]

Greetings Dale,

Thanks for posting the photos of this neat horn.  Isn't it exciting to pick something up that was "flying under the radar" at a sale?

Kevin

 

[Dale Halterman]

I love it when that happens.

There is a little more to the story. I when to the auction to try to buy few longrifles and there was this cardboard box with three dirty, dusty horns that didn't look like much. Apparently everybody else was there for the rifles too. The auctioneer was about to sell the box of three horns for $25 and I thought that was just too cheap so I bid $30 and got them. These are the three horns I posted to this forum yesterday, so I think I made out OK.

Dale H

[Joe S.]

You from around Walnutport, Pa. Dale? Nice horn as well.

[Dale Halterman]

Not that far. I'm in Jonas, about 5 miles north of Kresgeville.

Glad you like the horn.

Dale H

[Tanselman]

Often times horns with flat, soft wood [pine] butt plugs and images of sailing ships originate in/near New England.  Shelby Gallien

[Dale Halterman]

Good to know, Shelby.

It always stuck me as odd when images of sailing ships show up on powder horns.

Dale H