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Traditional Muzzleloading on the Cheap

Member’s Closet => Powder Horns => Topic started by: Oldnamvet on March 03, 2009

Title: Staples on both ends??
Post by: Oldnamvet on March 03, 2009
I am going to be making another horn, keeping it really plain.  The horn is a really thin one so I hesitate to cut a groove for a strap at the small end.  I have heard of people having a staple at both ends and wondered how you put the front staple into the horn.  Just drill a couple of holes and epoxy it in place?  Or some other technique? On the wood plug of course is no problem.
Title: Re: Staples on both ends??
Post by: Stumblin Wolf on March 03, 2009
If you can get to the tip of the horn through the base you can bend the staple legs over providing its a light weight metal. Or just epoxy the staple after drilling holes. Make sure to rough up the legs with a coarse file to give the epoxy a place to "bite". Scott (Oregon Horner) does a neat thing with rawhide by making a collar or tab that wraps around the tip. I saw that done on an original horn.
Title: Re: Staples on both ends??
Post by: Oregon Horner on March 03, 2009
The current newsletter from the HCH (Honorable Company of Horners) has a real good tech tip showing how the staples were inserted in the original horns.  Instead of drilling they would have been heated and burned through the horn.  An important point to consider, whether drilling or burning, is to taper the wire staple.  That way, when inserted in the horn, the taper will keep it from going further in, and with the ends bent back, the staple will not come back out.  I have a picture of the horn I did with the rawhide collar for the strap in the thread "Powder horn in progress"

http://traditionalmuzzleloadingcheap.com/forum/index.php?topic=3812.msg30968#msg30968

Scott
Title: Re: Staples on both ends??
Post by: Thumper on March 03, 2009
Oldnamvet, If you made the front staple in the shape of a triangular dinner bell, with it being split in the middle on the bottom flat, you could spread it after you shaped it and press both ends into the horn. If they went through the entire exterior of the horn, there should be enought strength that they could never pull out, cause all pressure would be up, not lateral.
Title: Re: Staples on both ends??
Post by: Horner75 on April 23, 2009
Bend over from the inside!  Just don't use too heavy a wire!  I anneal the wire first!

Rick
Title: Re: Staples on both ends??
Post by: pathfinder on April 23, 2009
I have two original horns from the mid 1800's and both have staples at the spout end. As much as I HATE HATE HATE making horns, I'm going to start one to give myself a break from leather and guns.I'm even going to try some scrimshaw,I'm inspired by StumblinWolfs work. I plan on doin' Washinton crossin' the Deleware, What do ya think?
(http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss42/pathfinder_01/th_Picture058.jpg) (http://s560.photobucket.com/albums/ss42/pathfinder_01/?action=view&current=Picture058.jpg)
Title: Re: Staples on both ends??
Post by: Dryball on April 23, 2009
Beautiful! Can hardly wait.

DB
Title: Re: Staples on both ends??
Post by: BruceB on April 23, 2009
Hey Pathfinder
Was Washington really that tall? I recognize the face but....... ;)
Bruce
Title: Re: Staples on both ends??
Post by: pathfinder on April 23, 2009
Thanks guy's,I could really use the encouragement,I'm nervous about my first attempt.
Title: Re: Staples on both ends??
Post by: Dryball on April 23, 2009
You'll do a bang-up job...we have confidence in your ability. dntn

DB
Title: Re: Staples on both ends??
Post by: bull frog on April 24, 2009
Go for it Pathfinder, and lots of luck, looking forward to pics.
Title: Re: Staples on both ends??
Post by: Stumblin Wolf on April 26, 2009
One thing missing from your pattern is ICE IN THE RIVER! ROFL
Title: Re: Staples on both ends??
Post by: pathfinder on April 26, 2009
I have a hard enough time drawing water! I don't want to get to fancy ya know
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