Powderhorns






Return to Home page

Powderhorns

Powderhorns — commonly used to carry an individual hunter's or soldier's gunpowder supply during the muzzle-loading era — are flasks or containers made from the hollowed-out horn of a cow (horn or antler from oxen, bison, water buffalo, elk, and other horned animals also were  used). Powderhorns are lightweight, waterproof, and spark-free.

Indian Woman

How I Make Powderhorns

I use traditional methods to make powderhorns. The original American powderhorns were made in all shapes, sizes, and levels of ornamentation. They were plain, carved, peeled, scrimshawed, dyed, painted, inlaid, etc. Many were made professionally; others were made or decorated by the user.

Horns were heated to soften them, then wooden plugs were forced into the butt and pinned to create a watertight cap. A leather or cloth sling was attached to carry the horn over the shoulder.

Flattened horns take a bit more work. The horn is boiled gently for an hour or two, which softens it up. The heated horn is forced carefully over a shaped flat wood form while the horn is clamped between boards and squeezed flat for a day or so. A tapered plug is then formed and fitted into the end of the horn. This often requires re-softening the horn’s base to accept the formed plug. Final shaping is done and the finished plug is fitted, glued, and pegged.

I buy many of my horns from Powderhorns and More, Inc., where I was featured artist of the month in November 2007.

 

Items for Sale!

Look for the titles marked with bullets; these items — and only these items — are for sale.

Please click on any thumbnail picture below to see a bigger picture and a description in a new window.

This piece is for sale! To view prices or order any item, please Go Shopping. Not sure how to order? Click here for ordering instructions. Can't find what you want? Please click the Commissions link here or at the top of any page to find out how to commission a custom piece.

This piece is for sale!Primer Powderhorn Rum Powderhorn & Shakers (Commissioned) Silver-Mounted Powderhorn (Commissioned)  


Primer Powderhorn


Rum Powderhorn


Silver-Mounted Powderhorn (Commissioned)

 
This piece is for sale!Flask-Topped Powderhorn 3-Banded Southern Screwtip Powderhorn This piece is for sale!7-Paneled Powderhorn Screwtipped Bison Powderhorn
Flask-Topped Powderhorn
3-Banded Southern Screwtip Powderhorn

7-Paneled Powderhorn

Screwtipped Bison Powderhorn

Military Supply/ Compartment Powderhorn Medium Checkered Powderhorn (Commissioned) This piece is for sale!Large Southern-Style Screw-Tip Powderhorn Transitional Fishmouth Screw-Tip Powderhorn
Military Supply/ Compartment Powderhorn
Medium Checkered Powderhorn (Commissioned)
Large Banded Southern-Style Screw-Tip Powderhorn
Transitional Fishmouth Screw-Tip Powderhorn
Colonial Cherry Wood Powder Flask Checkered Powderhorn Fishmouth Powderhorn Japanese Style Powderhorn
Colonial Cherry Wood Powder Flask
Checkered Powderhorn
Powderhorn
Powderhorn
Flat Bison Powderhorn Bison Powderhorn (red strap & plug)
This piece is for sale! Carved Large Flat Powderhorn
Bison (American Buffalo) Powderhorn
Powderhorn
Powderhorn
Powderhorn
Powderhorn
Matched Powderhorn Set
This piece is for sale! Flat Pistol or Bag Powderhorn
This piece is for sale!Flat Salt Horn
This piece is for sale! Carved Powder-horn & Strap
Powderhorn
Powderhorn
Powderhorn
Powderhorn
Lobed Powderhorn
Horn Powder Flask (Pulverin)

Matched Powderhorn, Measure and Presentation Pipe Tomahawk (set)

Powderhorn

Powderhorn

Presentation Pipe Tomahawk

| top | home | contact | shop | pet portraits | site map

© Larry Gotkin 2002 -
Custom handmade knives, edged weapons, & jewelry
Photography by Larry Gotkin
Site Design by Precision Computing Arts, Inc.
Updated: April 30, 2008 Disclaimer