Featured Powder horn

Last night, I took a chance and won a powder horn at auction. I wasn’t able to examine the horn in person beforehand so could only go on the auction photos, which aren’t great. Now, I’m cautiously optimistic that the horn is a genuine antique, but am also prepared for the news that it’s modern. Note the lightly engraved animals and plants on the horn. The iron fittings, especially the ring around the thick end, are also unusual. Anyway, I’m sure all will become clear when I receive the horn but, in the meantime, I’d love to know your thoughts on if it could be 200 years old or made last month. Happily the horn didn’t cost much so this is all just a bit of fun!

 

from what I see........ late 1800's hunters powder horn.
nice etching as befits a personal item , and missing the plug , or metal dispenser at the tip.
I find there is less metal on horns older than this.....

 

Thank you, Komokwa!

 

I'd think a USA horn...

 

Not Canadian? Appeared in a country auction in central Ontario.

 

Maker's / (previous ) owner's initials?

 

Could be! Will check when I receive the horn. I’ve noticed initials engraved on the horn itself - “AEW”?

 

I just sharpened & contrasted the horn up a bit.....and then tried to sharpen the letters you found, but the program I use kept shutting down on me!!! However, wondering if that middle letter "r" wants to be an "E"????



​

 

It's possible.... we have cattle farms in Ontario ....
but I don't recognize any quintessential Canadian design on the horn......

Still......these items had a way of moving around!

& back then.... it may have been British...

 

Okay, there are letters carved into the end cap:

 

So this is what AI looked like in the 19th century.
I prefer this to the modern version.

 

Thanks! And, I just noticed another AI carved into the horn.

 

Okay, I now have this horn in my grubby hands and am more hopeful than ever that it could be a good one!

Some new pics…

First, there’s a sailing ship!



Lots of plants and animals.




A man with a gun.


No idea what this is.


Another man hunting? Or, paddling or poling a boat?


The AI initials noticed earlier, which match the ones on the plug.




A full name, A. E. Waters!


Looks like it probably had a metal spout, now missing.


Sling swivels look hand-made.






The metal band around the butt end is not iron, as I assumed, but copper. Makes sense, as won’t spark like iron or steel could. Important around gun powder!

Anyway, I’ll be interested in your thoughts, and final verdict on authenticity.

 

the flintlock went out of use in the 1850's.. but that could be misleading as to the horns age....

 

Cool item! Sure looks old to me. I think the style of the drawing of the hunter looks antique too.

 

GREAT IMAGES, @David Askett !!!

 

@the blacksmith ........ yer being quiet on this...... any thoughts ???

 

Sorry Komo, I hadn't seen the thread!

It certainly looks to be genuine to me, probably 18th century. As has been mentioned, the fittings would usually be copper or brass on these, maybe with a horn or bone plug at the top.

I am inclined to think that most of the engraving has been added later. they seem to have been done by two different hands to me. I do not recall seeing an example that is as crudely engraved as this. Horn is easy to engrave and carve, and what I presume was the original owner AEWaters, seems to have been reasonably adept, but the other engraving to my mind don't seem to fit. Obviously, I could be wrong, but that is my impression.

 

Wow what a fun piece. I really enjoy the naive imagery because it's someone who wanted decoration and made it themselves from what was likely around them.

The interesting object I'm really keen to see that puzzle solved but Mr. Waters didn't make it easy..... A tipi?? Something hunting or sailing related??