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Author Topic: antique powder measures  (Read 3409 times)

Offline Shopdog

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antique powder measures
« on: January 07, 2021, 05:47:41 AM »


I've always loved powder measures - especially the decorated ones.  Of all my old "muzzleloader" associated possessions this one is my favorite - my father's kin hailed from southern Ohio but the only surviving family heirloom from those days is the top powder measure in the picture.  It has all manner of interesting carving and scrimshawing.  I liked it so much I made a copy (bottom one in picture) that graces my .32 SMR squirrel rifle kit.  I changed the spout a bit for easier pouring with my shaky hands but otherwise copied the original as best I could.  The back side of the original is dated "1854".  It would seem that powder horns survived the ages better - perhaps being larger and more recognizable but the lowly powder measure was a necessity that carried just as much personality and whimsy of the maker. 
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Joe Davis
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Offline mr. no gold

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Re: antique powder measures
« Reply #1 on: January 07, 2021, 05:57:31 AM »
What a nice heirloom! And, your rendition of it for use today is quite well done. There aren't too many that fine that turn up on the market. I have found a few, but nothing that comes close to this one. Thank you for showing it here.
Dick
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Offline Kevin

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Re: antique powder measures
« Reply #2 on: January 07, 2021, 02:47:29 PM »
Shopdog,

Thanks for sharing the photo of your ancestor's measure.  It's a great piece and you did a wonderful job in recreating it as well.

Thanks Again,
Kevin
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Offline G. Elsenbeck

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Re: antique powder measures
« Reply #3 on: January 07, 2021, 04:18:51 PM »
A great find and very well done on the copy.  Thank you for sharing.

Gary
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Offline jdm

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Re: antique powder measures
« Reply #4 on: January 08, 2021, 04:06:30 AM »
Great measure! How cool is that to have  it passed down through the family . Antique ones of this quality  are hard to come by. Thanks for letting us see it.
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Offline davec2

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Re: antique powder measures
« Reply #5 on: January 09, 2021, 08:34:56 PM »
Shopdog,

What are the powder measures made out of ?  Bone?  Antler?
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Offline Shopdog

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Re: antique powder measures
« Reply #6 on: January 10, 2021, 12:07:06 AM »
The copy I made is white tail deer antler.  I think the original is bone based on grain structure and color but that’s only a guess. It throws 30 grains of powder which would fit for a small bore.
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Offline Keith Zimmerman

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Re: antique powder measures
« Reply #7 on: January 10, 2021, 10:24:51 AM »
Nice copy job.  Very well done.  U could use it twice or 3 times for larger bore shooting, too.
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Offline Tim Crosby

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Re: antique powder measures
« Reply #8 on: January 10, 2021, 05:38:20 PM »
 I would think that because of the hole that the marrow is in it would be hard to find a piece big enough to carve a measure like that out of. More likely to be Antler, of course there is always the exception.

  Tim C.
« Last Edit: January 10, 2021, 10:53:43 PM by Tim Crosby »
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Offline Rifleman1776

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Re: antique powder measures
« Reply #9 on: January 10, 2021, 06:56:43 PM »
Quote from: davec2 on January 09, 2021, 08:34:56 PM
Shopdog,

What are the powder measures made out of ?  Bone?  Antler?

Yes, and yes and whatever else suits yer fancy. Wood is good. I made several (non-hc) from copper tubing. Have one of goat horn.
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Offline Panzerschwein

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Re: antique powder measures
« Reply #10 on: January 11, 2021, 12:17:14 AM »
A measurably fine measure by any measure!
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Offline Keith Zimmerman

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Re: antique powder measures
« Reply #11 on: February 23, 2021, 03:35:19 AM »
Very cool.  Great job.
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