Priming Powder Horn

This item at Smith’s Tavern is a priming powder horn from the 18th Century.  It was made most likely from a hollowed-out animal horn with a stopper of some kind - there is a broken piece of leather strap that would have been used to attach the item to the user.

 

Powder horns and flasks have been in use since the early 15th Century to carry the black powder necessary in the use of firearms.  Whether made from ox or cow horns or from wood and iron, power horns had to not only hold black powder, but to keep the powder dry.  Every powder horn’s design and style was unique.

 

Reference:  https://www.nps.gov/vafo/learn/historyculture/upload/PowderHorns-with-arrowhead.pdf

Catalog Items:

Item T66

Location:	Left Shelf - 3rd
Length:	5 cm
Width:	5 cm
Height:	16 cm
Weight:	37 g