Powder horn strap

[Swede]

OK boys, I'm in a quandary and could use a little direction.  I'm looking for a strap for my powder horn and see there are lots of choices.  I see leather straps, leather thongs, woven straps with leather findings and D-rings &, etc.  I'm inclined to go with an 1 1/4" (or thereabouts) inkle loom strap and use the 7 or 8 inch loose strands at the ends to tie to the horn.  I don't believe the woven straps with leather ends (think suspender straps) are correct, but I could be wrong.  Does anyone have any insights they could share?

[bmcret]

Well Swede I'll tell you my preference is a woven strap, but then I'm a bit prejudice I weave so just to let you know there are many ways to attach a horn to the strap but using the fringe is probably not the way to go (voice of experience). The easiest way I have found is to find a strap you like stitch a small square of leather with two holes in it and a leather thong sticking out.


I hope this helps

[Bulldog lady]

Agree with above,  the fringe on woven straps would be wider than your horn and get in the way.  This problem with how to attach straps or bead strips  to horns, bags, garters, hatbands etc, is a puzzlement to me also.  I just try and make them sturdy and yet look purdy  

[Red Badger]

after a few minutes of research online I found this picture of "A VERY NICE AMERICAN MUSKET POWDER HORN, ca. 1770s- & LATER:"

http://www.ambroseantiques.com/hornsflasks/foster1.htm

I am sure a few minutes of research will help you find the answers your looking for

[mongrel]

People have been weaving and braiding and using leather to tie and reinforce since time immemorial, and relatively few original powder horn straps have survived to the present day. I'm of the opinion that any form of strap correct not so much to the documentation of the time and place, but to the ability and knowledge of the people in that time and place, ought to pass muster so far as its correctness goes. Other than that it becomes a matter of purely personal preference.

I've mentioned before and believe it's worth mentioning again, we are very unique, here and now, in our near-obsession with recording every minute detail of our everyday lives. Back in the day, especially given a far greater percentage of total or near-illiteracy than is the case today, people didn't always or even that often write down the hows, whys, and wherefores of the vast majority of things they did. Records were kept when it was a matter of business or in the public interest, or by individuals with time on their hands and the inclination to fill pages in diaries and journals, or to write letters, but that by definition would seem to exclude the input of a great many people who were far more concerned with simply living -- with staying alive -- than with talking about it.

My point being, when actual artifacts are few, documentation likely unreliable due to its incompleteness, and circumstantial evidence often the best we have to go on, "correctness" would seem to include whatever could easily and without a second thought have been done, and would have worked.

[Red Badger]

"...Records were kept when it was a matter of business or in the public interest, or by individuals with time on their hands and the inclination to fill pages in diaries and journals, or to write letters, but that by definition would seem to exclude the input of a great many people who were far more concerned with simply living -- with staying alive -- than with talking about it.

My point being, when actual artifacts are few, documentation likely unreliable due to its incompleteness, and circumstantial evidence often the best we have to go on, "correctness" would seem to include whatever could easily and without a second thought have been done, and would have worked. " By Mongrel

I have to agree - the only real heartburn I have is when I see a beautiful strap or item made from plastic or modern synthetic material.  If you are just starting out in the activities I will overlook it and help (if asked) to stear you to appropraite materials.

[Swede]

Thank you, gents for all the input!  These are great examples and suggestions and intend to follow suit! 

[Swede]

"...Records were kept when it was a matter of business or in the public interest, or by individuals with time on their hands and the inclination to fill pages in diaries and journals, or to write letters, but that by definition would seem to exclude the input of a great many people who were far more concerned with simply living -- with staying alive -- than with talking about it.

My point being, when actual artifacts are few, documentation likely unreliable due to its incompleteness, and circumstantial evidence often the best we have to go on, "correctness" would seem to include whatever could easily and without a second thought have been done, and would have worked. " By Mongrel

I have to agree - the only real heartburn I have is when I see a beautiful strap or item made from plastic or modern synthetic material.  If you are just starting out in the activities I will overlook it and help (if asked) to stear you to appropraite materials.

You know, I do have to agree with some lenience for shave tails, but what what I don't agree with is the "if they'd a-had it, they'd a-used it" philosophy.  I reckon if it's just a costume party to the fellow, that's fine for him, but I'm interested in re-enacting history and try to be authentic as much as possible. Some things are rare and in my book, that's what makes them interesting and worth chasing down.

There's a wealth of knowledge on these pages, so I appreciate everyone sharing!

[bmcret]

Actually Swede I agree with the "if they had it they would have used it" but you have to use some common sense. I have a friend that used that argueement for creating a Brass Snare Drum this thing weighed proobably 180 #'s there was no way anyone could carry it for more than a half hour without dying of exhaustion. So common sense goes a long way.

[Swede]

Actually Swede I agree with the "if they had it they would have used it" but you have to use some common sense. I have a friend that used that argueement for creating a Brass Snare Drum this thing weighed proobably 180 #'s there was no way anyone could carry it for more than a half hour without dying of exhaustion. So common sense goes a long way.

HA!  Mebbe common sense ain't so common! 
I hear what you're sayin' but for me, I'm reenating what was, not what mayhave been. Everything else is just fantasy. A courier du bois with a cell phone and a trolling motor ("because if they a-had it, they'd a-used it") would sure make the weekend go a little quicker, but it just ain't right in my book.

[Swede]

BTW BMCRET, I really like that shirt!

[Rocklock]

If they had had it they would have used it - - - right so an M2 .50 BMG and ARs would be right for Texas Rev/Alamo renacting?
TC

[Mongo40]

If they had had it they would have used it - - - right so an M2 .50 BMG and ARs would be right for Texas Rev/Alamo renacting?
TC

Rocklock, I think you misunderstood bmcret, if THEY had it they used it, not if WE had it they used, but you have a good start to a  new Quentin Tarantino movie, "Modern Infantry Platoon travels back in time"

I use woven straps with a leather tab applied to tie the horn on with myself, why not, looks good an can't convince me noone did it, I never been accused of reenventing the wheel!

[Red Badger]

Quote from Mongo: Rocklock, I think you misunderstood bmcret, if THEY had it they used it, not if WE had it they used, but you have a good start to a  new Quentin Tarantino movie, "Modern Infantry Platoon travels back in time"

Your a decade or two too late.... they did a movie where the Nimitz battle group was transported back to dec 7 1941.... can't recall the name right now but it was a good movie....

[Mongo40]

No I remember that movie, tomcats blowing by Zeros, Sad to that the ole boy playing the senator that was on the boat died this year, he was a good actor, but he had a colorful history to, same guy played the governor in "Best little whore house in Texas" Just can't remember his name, anyway sorry to have taken this off subject of the original poster.