Powder Horn Rescue

[PetahW]

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I ordered this horn online for chump change from an E-Bay seller who claimed it was new, from Crazy Crow Trading Post.

I guess I'm the chump, since I found a few things wrong about it ! (surprise, surprise) 

* The spout was installed at an angle to the line of the horn
* The spout was not centered on the horn
* The base plug had visible gaps along the edge where it should have been tightly mated to the horn & sealed with beeswax

(I tested the base plug seal via blowing down the spout - I could feel the air coming out of the gaps with my fingers)









I "fixed" it via:

* Reseating/refitting the spout, shortened it & centering it on the tip of the horn.
* Sealing the base plug & cutting off the integral wood knob, replacing it with a removable brass filler that will also serve as the rear anchor for the horn strap.

This is where it is now.








    Now, on to fashioning a carry strap for it...………



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[PetahW]

pilot error 

[rollingb]

I'd say your upgrade was successful and you now have a nice powder horn. 

[Ohio Joe]

PetahW,

I've found that with most horns I've ordered online (and I'm talking the cheap no thrills horns) there's not a one I haven't had to do something to - to get them in good working order. Mostly it's a case of a poor drilling angle from the spout, but as you know - we get'em in working order.

I really kind'a prefer to make my own powder horns and occasionally someone will bring me a horn or two 'cause they heard I tinker with 'em. You've done a fine job rescuing that horn! 

[Bigsmoke]

Petah,
What you wound up with is a powder horn made in India out of water buffalo horn.  At best, the skill level of the makers is slightly below what one would hope to purchase.  To me, they are at best a very basic powder horn and often not worth the cost of the material that goes into them.  It looks like you did a very respectable job of salvaging the horn.  Bravo for your efforts.
Some of the ones without the valve are really interesting.  I have seen them where the hole is drilled from the spout a few inches in and then another hole is drilled from the bottom of the horn into the body of the horn and then that hole is filled with black body filler to seal it off.  Good grief, how does one fix that problem?
John

[PetahW]

Thanks for the kind words, and the input, folks !

I like it better now, but it's smaller than my other horns - more of a day trip horn, than one that can be used for some extended use.

I like the cost ($10.95, shipped) even more - although I DID have to spend another $10 for the removable brass base plug fitting.

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[Winter Hawk]

That's a pretty little thing!  I put the same type of base plug on mine, 30 or so years ago, and added a brass spout which has an o-ring stopper.  It's worked out very well for me, although I believe I paid a little more for the horn than you did (and it was the cheapest one I could find).