The concept of “disposable” did not really exist in early America, and frugality was a survival skill. There are numerous examples of damaged powder horns contemporaneously repaired with whatever materials that could be found, including metal, wire, rawhide and even whole squirrel skins.
This right-handed horn imagines some rough handling in its past. The medium-sized horn transitions smoothly from round to hexagonal, with a large ring at the spout. The horn spout plug appears to be a later replacement, handcarved and somewhat cruder than the horn. A 2.5” long ‘crack’ at the based has been repaired with copper wire. (Please note: The crack is simulated, and the horn is intact and watertight.)
The round base is hand-carved maple, secured with 6 wood pegs. There are two iron staples for strap attachment. The horn is patinaed and slightly scuffed. This is a great piece for reenactors.
The horn is 13.5” long overall, and 2.4” diameter at the base.
Architecture and award-winning museum-quality custom handmade knives, edged weapons, powder horns, tomahawks, war clubs, jewelry, metal sculpture, cribbage boards, flint and obsidian knives, Japanese swords, menorahs, and more from Tucson, Arizona artist and architect Larry Gotkin.
About Larry Gotkin
Artist & Registered AZ Architect, Retired
Tucson, Arizona