how much for a small horn ?

[Tim Ault]

Was walking through a local flea market this morning and spotted a small horn someone already hollowed out it was maybe only 6-7" long and 2" dia. actually the first one Ive seen in ages in my area. So how much am I suppose to pay for these? The guy was asking 5 bucks for it and wouldnt take less so I walked. Figured after seeing it Id give a try at making a small powder horn from it if I could have got it for a buck or two.

Tim

[gunmaker]

That's cheap.  Nice blank horns go for lot more'n that.  White ones fit for scriming can be $$....Tom

[Dogshirt]

Here is a link to a horn site that many consider THE site. I haven't dealt with them, but others I know will
ONLY deal with them! Give them a look and check prices, that will give you an idea of prices, as well as
the hardware that you will need.

http://www.powderhornsandmore.com/

[Tim Ault]

I guess I should have just paid the man then. Man this site is addicting I just joined to get some flintlock knowledge and how I wanna make a horn and bag and who knows what else by this time next week

[pathfinder]

John's a GREAT guy to deal with.

[Rev]

I would not use anyone else, & I buy at least 100 horns a year...

[gunmaker]

By next week?.....Knives, Hawks, Haversacks, clothes. Man the list is endless....Tom

[Dogshirt]

I guess I should have just paid the man then. Man this site is addicting I just joined to get some flintlock knowledge and how I wanna make a horn and bag and who knows what else by this time next week

You have NO idea!

[mongrel]

Five bucks for a smallish horn is a good price. However, if you keep hitting the flea markets, you'll find more.

A word of warning, if you're going to make yourself a horn, buy several right up-front. Not because you'll ruin it -- because you WILL want to make more. I went through one hornmaking phase where I think I scraped and shaped and finished and then flat-out gave away upwards of a dozen. I don't make horns now -- I don't have time and too many people are a lot better at it than I am, and besides I traded with Rev for the last horn I will ever need. On the outside face, a scrimmed eagle glares proudly at the legend, "Where Liberty Dwells, There Is My Country" and on the reverse is scrimmed in two lines, "Mike Lange His Horn".

But you will want to make several and buying a few or a bunch together will sometimes allow you to work the seller down from what he'd charge if you were buying them one horn at a time.

[Horner75]

I have made a couple powder horns in my time, and also found out that most of the Flea market horns are usually old and brittle wall hanger horns and not very suitable for a good quality powder horn!  Remember!  "You can't make a purse from a sow's ear!" __ Your going to put a lot of work into that powder horn, so start out with a good quality cow horn!

Where to learn about powder horn making:
http://thehornersbench.proboards.com/index.cgi?


Where to buy great raw cow horns:
http://www.powderhornsandmore.com/

Good luck,
Rick Froehlich

[Dogshirt]

EVERYTHING that Rick said! Cheap ain't always FRUGAL!

[rfd]

i've just started into making simple powder and priming horns and i get all my horns from www.powderhornsandmore.com - great selection of excellent horns.  expect to pay from $14-$19 for nice 'n' polished ones, though some can be as low as $9.  if you've found a nice little horn for $5, get it!  get more!  horn making is addictive!  i just got a batch from john ...

[Rev]

The Shorbs are great people to deal with...

[beowulf]

as for flea market horns , look them over real good , some are junk , but to be honest some of the best horns I`ve ever made were made from horns I got for a bit of nothing at flea markets , yard sales and antique shops ! another thing to keep the eyes peeled for is antlers ! they can be used for every thing from buttons to handles for canes !  I do a lot of antler handled knives ! sometimes you can walk away with a whole box for 10 or 20 bucks ! 

[Rev]

True 'dat...