Powder Horn for ID and Comment

[rickystl]

Hi Stu

That's a nice, and interesting horn. Yes, the brass studs and the engraving on the brass spout piece seem to be from somewhere in North Africa.
My big curiosity is that brass piece and it's function in relationship to the rest of the horn. It's looks rather heavy, and is drilled through. Yet, as you mentioned, the hole in the tip of the horn itself is cut an an obvious angle. It would make more sense to load a measure or barrel from this point.

I would think that trying to load from the brass piece would be more difficult. But there appears to be traces of black powder on the swelled end. Hmmmm
This brass piece has me stumped for the moment. Since it's drilled through, it would not be used for a measure. I'll have to think about this some more. LOL

Anyway, congratulations. It looks to be in still usable condition.

Rick

[kahnjar1]

Hi Rick, You are right about the powder residue. I forgot to mention that inside the brass piece was a significant build up of hardened powder....approx a level teaspoon full by the time I cleared it. Definitely powder as I threw a match at it and it fizzed well!
Hopefully more will comment on this flask and throw some concrete light on it's origins.
Stu

Originally Posted by rickystl

Hi Stu

That's a nice, and interesting horn. Yes, the brass studs and the engraving on the brass spout piece seem to be from somewhere in North Africa.
My big curiosity is that brass piece and it's function in relationship to the rest of the horn. It's looks rather heavy, and is drilled through. Yet, as you mentioned, the hole in the tip of the horn itself is cut an an obvious angle. It would make more sense to load a measure or barrel from this point.

I would think that trying to load from the brass piece would be more difficult. But there appears to be traces of black powder on the swelled end. Hmmmm
This brass piece has me stumped for the moment. Since it's drilled through, it would not be used for a measure. I'll have to think about this some more. LOL

Anyway, congratulations. It looks to be in still usable condition.

Rick

[rickystl]

Hi Stu

I was thinking that maybe the horn had a different cap originally, and the long, decorative spout added latter. But as you mentioned, there was a fair amount of crusted powder remaining inside the spout. So, obviously the spout was utilized with the horn.
The angle cut at the horn tip would likely assist the flow of the powder through the long brass spout while loading. As well as re-filling the horn with powder.
So it appears the two pieces were made together and the brass spout has simple come loose over the many years. Likely had some type of wooden plug for the end of the spout. Just my guess on this.

I have no idea as to it's origin. But likely somewhere in North Africa. The decoration on the spout look more generic Moroccan or Algerian (?)
Looks like there are no cracks, etc. on the body of the horn, and it's probably still usable.
Again, nice find.

Rick

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by rickystl

Hi Stu

I was thinking that maybe the horn had a different cap originally, and the long, decorative spout added latter. But as you mentioned, there was a fair amount of crusted powder remaining inside the spout. So, obviously the spout was utilized with the horn.
The angle cut at the horn tip would likely assist the flow of the powder through the long brass spout while loading. As well as re-filling the horn with powder.
So it appears the two pieces were made together and the brass spout has simple come loose over the many years. Likely had some type of wooden plug for the end of the spout. Just my guess on this.

I have no idea as to it's origin. But likely somewhere in North Africa. The decoration on the spout look more generic Moroccan or Algerian (?)
Looks like there are no cracks, etc. on the body of the horn, and it's probably still usable.
Again, nice find.

Rick

Yes you are right. My thinking is that the brass has come loose and should be refixed, which I will do in due course, but might just wait to see if there are other replies which say it should be seperate. There are no cracks or holes to the horn, so it is definitely usable.
Stu