Traditional Muzzleloading Association

The Center of Camp => People of the Times => Topic started by: Sjfriend on March 09, 2017, 10:49:28 PM

Title: Era correct powder horn?
Post by: Sjfriend on March 09, 2017, 10:49:28 PM

Looking for my 1st horn to go with my mountian rifle. My question is would horns frim that time frame have just wood plugs or were brass ones in use as well? Want to be as correct as possible so looking into these things before I buy.

Title: Re: Era correct powder horn?
Post by: Bigsmoke on March 09, 2017, 11:16:42 PM

Not sure what you are asking.  Wood plugs - brass plugs.  Do you mean spout plugs or base plugs?
If you are talking about spout plugs, stay with wood.  The fancy valves, brass spouts, etc. in all liklihood would not have been seen.
Not aware of any horns with a brass base plug.  Brass finials mounted in a wood baseplug are by and large a modern thing with not too much of that happening back in the day.
Now, on the other hand, a moneyed person might have had the urge for something unique and rare, and he could have afforded it.  But not so much the average guy.  Play it safe and don't get too carried away.
John

Title: Re: Era correct powder horn?
Post by: Sjfriend on March 09, 2017, 11:53:14 PM

Thanks. Yea, brass finials and spout / plug is what I was thinking. Didn't think the average "mountian man" would have used but want to be as educated as I can before I spend good money.

Title: Re: Era correct powder horn?
Post by: amm1851 on March 10, 2017, 01:04:47 AM

For a mountain man, it's hard to beat a buffalo (American bison) horn. An excellent short reference book for would-be mountain men is Rex Allen Norman's book "The 1837 Sketchbook of the Western Fur Trade," which is an examination of the paintings Alfred Jacob Miller made at the 1837 rendezvous.

Title: Re: Era correct powder horn?
Post by: rollingb on March 10, 2017, 02:15:04 AM

You might like to start with a powder horn "kit", just to get the "feel" for building powder horns.
These are just a few places (of many) where you can find "kits",..... Crazy Crow Trading Post: Muzzleloading Kits (http://www.crazycrow.com/mountain-man-suppliess/muzzleloading-kits)

Dixie Gun Works muzzleloading, blackpowder and rare antique gun supplies. (https://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?cPath=1002_1005_1025&products_id=14095&osCsid=70teb5j3nda76vo66p214a9e57)

Product Categories  Powderhorn Kits | Powderhorns and More (https://www.powderhornsandmore.com/product-category/powderhorn-kits/)

You might want to stay away from the "priming horns" unless you're shooting a flintlock.