Author Topic: William Whitley powder horn question  (Read 707 times)

Offline T.C.Albert

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William Whitley powder horn question
« on: September 25, 2025, 05:43:46 PM »
Does anyone know what the tip of the William Whitley powder horn is made of.
It looks like it might be wood in the images I’ve seen but I hoped someone here might know
For sure.
Thanks
Tim A

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Offline Daryl

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Re: William Whitley powder horn question
« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2025, 09:31:49 PM »
Enlarged a great deal, it certainly looks like wood to me.
Daryl

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Offline whetrock

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Re: William Whitley powder horn question
« Reply #2 on: September 25, 2025, 10:32:06 PM »

I hope someone has seen it and can answer confidently. But I'll say that I've seen horns (and I'd guess that you have, too) that showed a lot to grain structure, and it often shows more as the horn degrades. So grain structure doesn't mean it is wood. Moreover, I can't imagine a horn-maker turning a piece like that with wood when they could do it with horn.


Offline Tanselman

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Re: William Whitley powder horn question
« Reply #3 on: September 26, 2025, 09:21:38 PM »
If you really want to find out what the tip is made of, why not contact Mel Hankla, since he has handled that horn more than anyone else and probably knows it inside and out. He has an "AmericanHistory" website that he monitors and responds on.

Shelby Gallien

Offline Tim Crosby

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Re: William Whitley powder horn question
« Reply #4 on: September 27, 2025, 03:50:49 PM »
 Interesting staple placement, looks like it would hang canted, as in off balance.
 As for the tip I'd say horn, looks like Dauphin or Lancaster Cos. Is it a screw tip or was it? Almost looks like a staple at the tip and neck, maybe added later.

   Tim
 

Offline T.C.Albert

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Re: William Whitley powder horn question
« Reply #5 on: September 27, 2025, 11:19:40 PM »
Shelby is right. I should just ask Mel.
Good idea.
Thanks
Tim A
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Offline bluenoser

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Re: William Whitley powder horn question
« Reply #6 on: September 28, 2025, 03:18:21 PM »
Wallace Gusler might also know.  As I recall, he talked about the horn in his lecture on Botencourt (spelling?) county guns.

Offline T.C.Albert

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Re: William Whitley powder horn question
« Reply #7 on: October 01, 2025, 08:42:18 PM »
I’ve been informed that it’s definitely horn.

Thanks
TC
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Offline Bob Gerard

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Re: William Whitley powder horn question
« Reply #8 on: October 02, 2025, 06:34:28 PM »
It’s a beautiful horn! Is the inscribed raised white panel applied or integral to the horn? (My guess is the latter).

Offline Tanselman

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Re: William Whitley powder horn question
« Reply #9 on: October 02, 2025, 11:22:08 PM »
The raised panel is integral, left high when the horn was smoothed.

Shelby Gallien