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Powder Horn Again

Blckhrn
This old horn has a red metal label pressed into the plain pine end cap that says "Green Turtle" and "Black Powder" in script between Green and Turtle. Date? Value?

I'm guessing it is old enough to have been the cotainer the powder was sold in.

FALmagpouch002.jpg

york.bmp"No taxation without representation"
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Comments

7 comments

Date Votes
  • surbat6
    The horn does not appear to have been the period equivalent of a powder can or keg. A photo of the base plug and metal label would help, but my best guess would be that the horn's owner used the label to repair a hole in the plug. Often old horns used a staple, nail or screw in the wood base as attachment for the carry strap. If the metal attachment went through the plug into the powder chamber, over time, it would corrode and eventually come loose, after which it left a hole. The owner may have liked the appearance of the metal piece and used it for repair. I've seen more than a few horns that show evidence of DIY fixes like this. My favorite is the use of squirrel skin to seal a split in the horn.
    This is only conjecture, based on what I can see on your photo, which appears to be a very nice plain horn.
    The label would certainly have been taken from a powder can or keg contemporary with the time the horn was in use.

    "I think of my gun as a tool for converting worthless human garbage into valuable fertilizer." John Dollar in the novel "Bridge City" by Fred Rexer
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  • Blckhrn
    plainhorn.jpg

    I don't think it is a patch, I think it is a label made for the cap.

    Thanks for your input.[:)]

    york.bmp"No taxation without representation"
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  • surbat6
    Thanks for the additional photo. It appears the label is held in place by brads (can't be sure), seeing it, I'd guess the owner wanted to be sure he got his favorite brand of powder when he refilled the horn.

    "I think of my gun as a tool for converting worthless human garbage into valuable fertilizer." John Dollar in the novel "Bridge City" by Fred Rexer
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  • Blckhrn
    The label has tabs cut that bend in and attach it like a staple. If you look close, where the paint is missing, you'll see. The screw eye is also a lot newer than the horn. Thanks for looking

    york.bmp"No taxation without representation"
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  • surbat6
    (Next guess!) With the additional information, NOW it sounds like the label originallt graced a wooden powder keg. I'm still disinclined to believe the metal tag is original to the horn.

    "I think of my gun as a tool for converting worthless human garbage into valuable fertilizer." John Dollar in the novel "Bridge City" by Fred Rexer
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  • Blckhrn
    Ever hear of black turtle green powder?

    I'm thinking you're right, as the label looks like someone hammered it in. I'd think that it would have been pressed in if the cap was made with it originally. Thanks.

    york.bmp"No taxation without representation"
    0
  • surbat6
    Nope. (You did mean "Green Turtle Black Powder", didn't you?) I suspect the study of the many gunpowder manufacturers in North America in the 19th century (to say nothing of imported foreign brands) would be a monumental task. A friend of mine collects powder cans and small kegs. I'll ask him if he's familiar with the brand.
    As to the powder horn being the manufacturer's container, I've seen metal powder cans that were shaped to be practical carrying flasks, but never one of horn. Also, professionally-made powder horns of the 19th century (often sold in stores at the time) show a much higher degree of refinement, particularly at the spout and base ends, as well as the surface finish. A horn designed as a gunpowder sales container would show evidence of professional work and finish. Your horn's flat base plug, uneven trumpet spout and scraped finish all point to a home-made piece. You have a very appealing folk-art powder horn that hasn't been screwed up by fakers trying to jack up its value with phony scrimshaw. I have a couple of nice well-made but plain horns myself. I wouldn't accept ten times what I paid for them.
    By the way, the horn in your signature appears to be a very nice screw-tip.

    "I think of my gun as a tool for converting worthless human garbage into valuable fertilizer." John Dollar in the novel "Bridge City" by Fred Rexer
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