1700's period, Hand Carved, Small Black Powder Horn, likely a Pistol Horn or Charger

$145.00
Based on the construction and carving of this small black powder horn, I believe it dates from the 1700's. These horns represent highly personal objects from colonial America. Used by soldiers, colonists, and native Americans, these pieces were treasured possessions of thousands of America’s earliest citizens. More than just a necessary tool, many chose to personalize these horns by names, dates, maps, dates of battles and in this case purely whimsical figures. Carved powder horns represent early American folk art in its purest form and provide a window to America’s past. I love these horns, made and scrimshawed by the everyday people of the times. People whose stories form the history of this Country, if only they horns could talk.
The surface of this small horn has developed a warm patina that highlights the colors in the original horn. The spout was carved, and it is possible the hand carved wooden plug is original. The plug can be easily removed and remains secure when replaced. I believe the endcap is original as well as the hardware. The carving appears to be of a woman with her hands on her hips, on the other side is what looks like a flower in a vase and possibly the carver’s initials. A backward J and the letter M. In a time where many of the general population was illiterate it was not unusual to encounter letters reversed and words misspelled.
This is a small horn, possibly for a pistol or as a charger. I would have been carried in a pocket. The horn is approx. 4 ¾ inches long from the tip of the plug to the end cap, not accounting for the curvature of the horn. The end cap is approx. 1 ½ inches in diameter and the inside diameter of the spout is approx. 3/8 inch. The plug is approx. 1 ¼ inches long. Please carefully review photos for full perspective.
As always, thank you for stopping by the shop and for your interest in this piece. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have.
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Based on the construction and carving of this small black powder horn, I believe it dates from the 1700's. These horns represent highly personal objects from colonial America. Used by soldiers, colonists, and native Americans, these pieces were treasured possessions of thousands of America’s earliest citizens. More than just a necessary tool, many chose to personalize these horns by names, dates, maps, dates of battles and in this case purely whimsical figures. Carved powder horns represent early American folk art in its purest form and provide a window to America’s past. I love these horns, made and scrimshawed by the everyday people of the times. People whose stories form the history of this Country, if only they horns could talk.
The surface of this small horn has developed a warm patina that highlights the colors in the original horn. The spout was carved, and it is possible the hand carved wooden plug is original. The plug can be easily removed and remains secure when replaced. I believe the endcap is original as well as the hardware. The carving appears to be of a woman with her hands on her hips, on the other side is what looks like a flower in a vase and possibly the carver’s initials. A backward J and the letter M. In a time where many of the general population was illiterate it was not unusual to encounter letters reversed and words misspelled.
This is a small horn, possibly for a pistol or as a charger. I would have been carried in a pocket. The horn is approx. 4 ¾ inches long from the tip of the plug to the end cap, not accounting for the curvature of the horn. The end cap is approx. 1 ½ inches in diameter and the inside diameter of the spout is approx. 3/8 inch. The plug is approx. 1 ¼ inches long. Please carefully review photos for full perspective.
As always, thank you for stopping by the shop and for your interest in this piece. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have.
Based on the construction and carving of this small black powder horn, I believe it dates from the 1700's. These horns represent highly personal objects from colonial America. Used by soldiers, colonists, and native Americans, these pieces were treasured possessions of thousands of America’s earliest citizens. More than just a necessary tool, many chose to personalize these horns by names, dates, maps, dates of battles and in this case purely whimsical figures. Carved powder horns represent early American folk art in its purest form and provide a window to America’s past. I love these horns, made and scrimshawed by the everyday people of the times. People whose stories form the history of this Country, if only they horns could talk.
The surface of this small horn has developed a warm patina that highlights the colors in the original horn. The spout was carved, and it is possible the hand carved wooden plug is original. The plug can be easily removed and remains secure when replaced. I believe the endcap is original as well as the hardware. The carving appears to be of a woman with her hands on her hips, on the other side is what looks like a flower in a vase and possibly the carver’s initials. A backward J and the letter M. In a time where many of the general population was illiterate it was not unusual to encounter letters reversed and words misspelled.
This is a small horn, possibly for a pistol or as a charger. I would have been carried in a pocket. The horn is approx. 4 ¾ inches long from the tip of the plug to the end cap, not accounting for the curvature of the horn. The end cap is approx. 1 ½ inches in diameter and the inside diameter of the spout is approx. 3/8 inch. The plug is approx. 1 ¼ inches long. Please carefully review photos for full perspective.
As always, thank you for stopping by the shop and for your interest in this piece. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have.