Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Craftsmanship => Accoutrements => Topic started by: Bigsmoke on October 06, 2009, 01:30:40 PM

Title: Inscription on horn
Post by: Bigsmoke on October 06, 2009, 01:30:40 PM

A fellow contacted me asking if I knew the meaning of a marking on an old powder horn he had acquired.

It says "A MESO BURN"

Any ideas.

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Post by: mario on October 06, 2009, 02:32:35 PM

It would be easier if you had an actual pic of the inscription. Spelling and grammer have changed a lot over the years (ie, Iames for James, etc)


Mario

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Post by: Bigsmoke on October 06, 2009, 03:12:17 PM

Good idea.  I will see if I can get something.  Thanks.

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Post by: 2 Locks on October 06, 2009, 06:50:42 PM

These days Meso is a prefix.  It comes from the Greek Mesos, meaning middle.  But I'm not sure that "A Middle Burn" makes much more sense.  (other than the obvious burning of powder)

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Post by: 2 Locks on October 07, 2009, 06:28:49 PM

after thinking about it a little more...
If I'm right about the "middle" thing, which I doubt,  then it may have just been a way for the owner to differentiate which type of powder was in which horn.  (as opposed to fast or slow burning powder)

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Post by: Three Hawks on October 09, 2009, 12:16:21 AM

Ya gots ta be wary of taking things literally on old items.  The inscription could have been rubbed partly away from being carried or it may have been damaged over the years or it simply may have been poorly done in the first place.  

Then there's the very real possibility that it is correct in that it's what was put on there by someone who couldn't spell his own name.  

Keep an open mind.  

The Missus says mine's so open things keep falling out.

Beav says my mind's like a steel trap.  It's just rusted shut.

Three Hawks