Horn, powder containers

[hondo1892]

Had a customer call in an order for some horns a few weeks back. He wanted some southern horns so I made four banded horns, three have turned antler spouts much like North Carolina horns from the 19th century. One of the banded horns is not in the photo because it aint finished yet. The other two could have been made anywhere. I wish I hadn't show the customer the horn with three bands and brass tacks around the base because I would have liked to have kept it for myself. I keep selling my own gear and guns and need to keep something for myself. I haven't made very many horns for several years and this just about exhausted my supply. I'll have to keep a look out for some more good raw material.

[Chuck 100 yd]

Very nice authentic looking horns.

[JerryB]

Some fine looking horns. I have made a few using horns but nothing that looks like yours.

[Pete44ru]

.

They sure look good - but, I didn't know you were horny........


.

[Nath]

They are fantastic

N.

[M. M. Wright]

Oh, those are really nice. North Carolina huh? That's where my ancestors are from. Posquatank and Perquimans counties.

[Lassiter]

Beautiful!!

[marlinman93]

Amazing workmanship! I can see how they could be mistaken as originals with the finish you put on them! I'd love to see or hear the process of making these gorgeous horns! Always wondered if the bands are made separately, or somehow shaped on the horns?

[Borregos]

Those are really nice

[Ben_Rumson]

You do beautiful work
Do any of the base plugs have a removable plug for filling?

[Old No7]

You do beautiful work

+1 to that!

There was recently an article in Muzzleloader about making banded horns -- I'll bet you could have written it.

Nice work, those look great!

And yes -- do make one to keep for yourself!

That one will be a beauty for sure -- remember to show us the pictures.

Old No7

[hondo1892]

Most of the banded horns have the bands added. There are a few with the bands carved from the horn its self. I cut rings from a horn and heat them to slide onto a cone shaped piece of wood. I then put the wood cone in the centers of a wood lathe and turn them to shape. Sometimes I use wood pegs to secure the bands to the horns and sometimes they just get friction fitted. Both are traditional ways of attaching the rings. The base plugs are hollowed out inside but don't have any screw in plugs to fill from the base. I'd post some photo's of how I do it but it takes me about thirty minutes to load and resize a photo on photobucket. I try to sign my work so folks know that they are modern made but I've still seen my work and others being sold for originals on auction sites. There is always someone tying to pass modern work off for antique, sometimes out of ignorance and sometimes trying to make big money. Thanks for the kind words also.

[Old No7]

I'd post some photo's of how I do it but it takes me about thirty minutes to load and resize a photo on photobucket.

Ouch -- that's a loooooooooong time!

I resize my photo's first (using the MS Resizer tool, "Image Resizer for Windows"), then selecting the "small" images for use on this site and also to upload to Hunt101.com -- for use on any other websites where I can't just upload a photo like we do here, but have to post a link to the image over on 101 (the url). I can usually do 4 to 6 photo's in less than 5 minutes on a good day, both resizing and then uploading them. You might want to check it out.

Old No7

[Ysabel Kid]

They are fantastic

N.

+1

[Bill in Oregon]

Hondo, I am very, very impressed with your skills as a horner. I have the Sibleys' book on Southern banded horns, as well as their first one, and have always admired the banded variants. Mostly lack the skill and patience to make any. I am thinking of building a spring or treadle lathe to able to turn some parts.
Do you post on the Muzzleloading forum?

[Sixgun]

Amazing workmanship! I can see how they could be mistaken as originals with the finish you put on them! I'd love to see or hear the process of making these gorgeous horns! Always wondered if the bands are made separately, or somehow shaped on the horns?

Exactly my thoughts. Marlinman and I have an eye for what looks original and as for YOU Marlinman, you and I both know a craftsman never gives up his secrets.......secrets that don't come from any books. -------6

[hondo1892]

Bill, I used to post on the American long rifle forum but my service won't let me get on any longer. If you would like to see more of these horns you can check out the Contemporary makers blog. Scott Sibley can really crank out horns I've watched him work. His wife Cathy does the scrimshaw and she is amazingly fast at it.
Six thanks for the kind words. I do pass on most of my secrets because I've had many good people share there knowledge with me.

[Griff]

VERY nice!!!

[JohndeFresno]

Impressive work!!