Very cool. Was the scrimshaw (initials with faces, arrows, etc.) inspired by the originals as well as the shape / style?
I confess that I do a lot of work in the moment. I just get after it like some guy in the field who thinks it’s time to put his initials on his horn.
Some horns were fully scrimmed, by plan, often by a professional. Others seem more willy nilly, scrimmed all over but without a design plan or professional execution. Some have initials on them and not much else. These are purported to be horns used by militia. One person from a mess or under one sergeant would take all horns to be re-filled. The initials removed confusion and prevented someone taking a better looking horn as their own when horns were returned. These were done by the owner, in a less professional manner. This “fella” likely saw some professionally decorated horns and thought to do a little more than the simplest initials. But, done at an idle time, in the lap, with a pocketknife. Facial expressions likely added later. This will be one of my personal horns and so may get later additions.
This horn is based on this original and another.
