Sow’s Ear to be Auctioned at the 2013 WCHF in Washington

It all started at the West Coast Horn Fair last year in Morro Bay, California, Scott Morrison was given the challenge of starting with a bad cow horn (Sow’s Ear) and turning it into a “Silk Purse”.

Finished Banded Horn by Scott Morrison

John (Bigsmoke) Shorb gave a talk on “choosing your horn”. He had several examples of horns with defects that would lend a person to pass when choosing. One example that he recommended passing up was a thin, translucent, misshapened horn that had a severe delamination at the tip.

Scott Morrison recalls, “I was sitting in the back of the room with Steve Skillman in “Heckler’s” row and I just couldn’t let this go by. I told John something to the effect that this was nonsense and that there was a lot that one cold do with the horn. John came right back and said that when the horn came to me (it was being passed around the room) to go ahead and keep it. The gauntlet had been taken off and the challenge issued;  John was pretty much telling me to put up or shut up.”

“Well now honor was at stake and I could not back down. So I took up the challenge and not only would I take this “Sow’s Ear” and make some sort of “Silk Purse” with it, but it would come back to the West Coast Horn Fair in 2013 to be  auctioned off.”

“The horn sat in my to do box until recently when I decided that I needed to “get-r-done”. When I got back from the WCHF last year, all I had done with it was to cut off the tip and drill the spout. I had originally thought that the horn would be good for a Southern banded horn with an applied tip and when I cut and drilled it, I saw that there was plenty of material for such a horn.”

The de-lamination in this tip was sanded off.

“As you can see in the photo, there is approximately 1/2 inch at the tip, which would be plenty for an applied tip or even threaded for a screw tip. The discoloration at the tip is where the internal separation of the horn layers occurred. I decided on a horn with an applied antler tip.”

“I had turned a base plug and fitted a rear ring to the horn and when I did a trial fit of an antler tip the horn looked too long to my eye. I ended up taking about 3/4 inch more off of the tip which improved the proportion. There was still plenty of material at the tip so I had no problem fitting the antler.”

Applied Tip made from antler repair the defective tip. 

“Of greater concern to me wasn’t the tip but the thinness of the horn. When the horn was cleaned and polished, there was left humps and hollows from the sander that was used. One side of the horn was also pretty flat. Normally, there is enough wall thickness on a horn that I can work it to some semblance of round. However, since this horn was to thin, I was afraid that if I tried to round it I might break through the wall. The best I could hope for was to remove the humps and hollows and have a smooth body. The flat spot would have to remain.”

Scott Morrison Horn before staining.

“I first thought of having just one band on the horn, but decided that this would be too uninteresting so I went with three bands. I heated the bands so they were pliable and they slipped around the oblong shape of the body easily, leaving no gaps. The base plug is walnut. The button finial is turned horn and tapered to slip fit into the base.”

Banded horn By Scott Morrison

Two of the Three bands. Scott says the flat spot is in the picture.

“I heated the bands so they were pliable and they slipped around the oblong shape of the body easily, leaving no gaps.”

Base Plug with WCHF for West Coast Horn Fair.

“The base plug is walnut. The button finial is turned horn and tapered to slip fit into the base.”

Stained with aqua fortis, then added a patina

“The horn was stained with aqua fortis, then a patina applied with a combination of shoe polish and black powdered tempura paint.”

The horn is translucent and light as a feather.

“It measures 15 inches along the outside curve and 2 1/4 inches across at the base. The horn is nice and translucent and light as a feather.”

“I think it is an acceptable “Silk Purse” made from the “Sow’s Ear” that was the original horn.”

“Hawkeye” Horn Strap and Osceola’s Garters

This is a picture of the blue and white belt worn by Daniel Day Lewis. It was used as a horn belt in the movie “Last of the Mohicans”. It is  also known at the “Hawkeye Belt”

Hawkeye from the Movie, “The Last of the Mohicans”

This replica of the above Horn strap was made by Gary Bertelson, gbertels@insight.rr.com and donated to 2013 The West Coast Horn Fair for a raffle prize.

This donation  is made with from replica wampum beads, woven on brain tanned deer hide laces with artificial sinew.  It is long!  The beaded portion measures  50 inches plus 15 inches of lace fringe on each end. You can reach gary at:  gbertels@insight.rr.com

Gary also sent  a set of  ”Osceola” beaded garters.   These are based on the original piece at the National Museum of the American Indian
which says they are associated with Osceola and included in a George
Catlin painting.  They are beaded in wool yarn.

Replica Beaded Garters associated with Osceola, Seminole. Donated for the WCHF Raffle

This is the picture of the originals from the website of  The National Museum of the American Indian.

Original Garters associated with Osceola (Seminole, 1803–1838)

The National Museum of the American Indian states this about the garters in their museum:

“These leg garters likely belonged to the Seminole leader Osceola. Born in 1804 to Polly Coppinger, a part Muscogee Creek woman, Osceola was the most famous of several Seminole leaders who rose to prominence during the Second Seminole War, from 1835 to 1842. Osceola, whose name means Black Drink Singer, was also strong in medicine and was known for his ability to consume the black drink made from yaupon holly.

Seminole leader Osceola Portrait by George Catlin 1838.

“Osceola enjoyed the stature and recognition that he had earned. George Catlin produced two paintings of Osceola. In each of them the war leader wears clothes of Seminole tradition. These finger-woven wool garters, which have beads woven into the pattern, are very similar to the garters Osceola wore in Catlin’s full-length portrait, painted in 1838, shortly before the Seminole leader’s death while he was imprisoned at Fort Moultrie, South Carolina.

Source:  The National Museum of the American Indian.

West Coast Horn Fair 2013 Raffle Prizes

The West Coast Horn fair will be held in Littlerock WA April 26, 27 and 28 2013. The event is funded entirely by raffle tickets.  Horn makers from all over the US have donated prizes for this raffle.

You do not need to be present to win. We mail the prizes to you at no cost to you. For a complete list of all the prizes and a link to buy tickets click HERE

Southern Banded Horn by Scott Sibley

This Southern Banded Powder Horn was donated by Scott Sibley.  The horn measures 13″ around the double curve.  Scott filed the horn to make it much lighter in weight. The tip is turned Whitetail antler and it done in two pieces as were the majority of original horns. The tip and bands are fastened with wooden pegs.

Applied Tip on Sibley’s Horn

There are four turned bands. The base plug is cherry, turned with a “wasp waist” design as per an original “Shenandoah Valley” horn that is in Scott’s collection.  The dark color is also like the original horn.

Wampum beaded Belt ”Hawkeye Belt”donated by Gary Bertelsen

Wampum belt patterned after the movie The Last of the Mohicans. By Gary Bertelsen

This is designed after the belt Daniel Day Lewis used as a horn belt in the
movie “Last of the Mohicans” also known at the “Hawkeye Belt”

It is made with replica wampum beads, woven on brain tanned deer hide
laces with artificial sinew.

Measures (beaded portion) 50 inches plus 15 inches of lace fringe on each
end – At 50 inches, this is a strap that will fit a Big Boy. gbertels@insight.rr.com

“Osceola” beaded garters.

Second prize by Gary Bertelsen (no picture yet)I included a set of “Osceola” beaded garters.   These are based on the original piece at the National Museum of the American Indian which says they were actually worn by Osceola and included in a George Catlin painting. gbertels@insight.rr.com

Horn Box donated by Tim Sanner

Horn Box donated by Tim Sanner

Tim Sanner is a Journeyman Horner in the Honourable Company of Horners.  This little container is called a Horn Box. The box is made of cow horn with a walnut base.  The lid is turned walnut with a white horn ring.  It measures 3 1/2″ tall and 2 1/2″ in diameter. This is a piece anyone would be proud to own.

Artist Proof on cow horn by Yosef Trilling

Artist Proof on cow horn by Yosef Trilling

Two artist’s proof horns engraved by Yosef Trilling. He takes a cow horn and engraves a new subject to see exactly how it will look on the curved and limited surface of the horn. Yosef can be found on eBay and the CLA site. Also atrilling@kc.rr.com.

Engraving tool made and donated by David Rase.

Engraving tool made and donated by David Rase.

Engraving Tool by David Rase

This tool can be used to do some fine engraving on a powder horn. The tip is a Coulter Precision carbide point held in place with a set screw so the tip can be changed out when it gets dull.  Dave hand turned the brass holder and installed a blue grip cushion.  You can reach David  at davidrase@q.com

THE HARTLEY HORN DRAWINGS

This hard back book was donated by Jeff Bibb at The Honourable Company of Horners.

Robert M. Hartley made these drawings documenting historic powder horns. The  drawings are laid out so you see all sides of the horn. There are close-up photos of  the Royal Coat of Arms, rivers, cities and towns, forts and animals.

The Hartley Horn Drawings donated by The Honourable Company of Horners

Detail from the pages of The Hartley Book

Detail from the pages of The Hartley Book

The Lady Washington and The Hawaian Chieftan

Over President’s Weekend these two tall ships were in port here in Morro Bay. On Saturday, Sunday and Monday, they were giving 3 hour “Battle Cruises”. Well, that had to be something to be experienced, so Mrs. Smoke and I went online, got our tickets, and Monday afternoon, there we were, anxiously awaiting permission to board. Finally, about 10 till 2 we were allowed on board and a little after two, we set out. Going out of the harbor, it was all diesel power, but once we got into deep water, the deck hands got to really show off. Man, those guys hit the rigging like a bunch of monkeys. I would imagine a prerequisite for the job is no fear of heights.

Crew going up to set the sails!

Finally, with the sails all set and the diesel turned off, we commenced the battle. Now, there is only one gunner’s mate, so the rate of fire is pretty slow. He only has two 3 pounder cannons on the main deck (one port and one starboard) and two swivel guns on the quarter deck. No long thundering barrages like in the movies.

Anyway, here is the swivel gun letting loose with a 700 grain charge.

John was the only one on the ship to catch the muzzle flash of the swivel gun.

A little later in the day, I got this photo of the Chieftain taking a shot at us. I just missed the muzzle flash on this one. From what I could figure out, they are using about 1,200 grains in the 3 pounders to make it go boom.

Cannon fire from the Hawaiian Chieftain

This was a very interesting way to spend an afternoon. I will probably be back on board next year.

John

Semi-Reproduction of “The Buckskinner” Tansel Horn by Larry Gotkin

This is a picture of an original Tansel horn that was auctioned at Cowan’s auctions in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Original Tansel Horn “Image courtesy of Cowan’s Auctions, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio.”

Larry Gotkin Horn with Eagle and serpent.

 

Larry Gotkin only had pictures of this horn and was able to create a semi-reproduction that was very pleasing to his  client.  The client realized that creating a copy was impossible.

Finding a good horn was difficult.  Powder Horns and More supplied the horn.  The shape is not perfect but Larry felt style of the horn was very good.

The original horn is 16″ length. It is engraved with the Eagle clutching arrows and sheaths of wheat, E. Pluribus Unum in a banner above the eagle, a hunter (i.e. the “Buckskinner”) hunting deer.

It has a nice serpent’s mouth (fish mouth) with the teeth carved protruding on to the spout. This particular horn has been nicknamed the “Buckskinner’s powder horn.”

It is interesting because it has a screw top, wood base with iron loop and another iron loop near the spout.

One large brass tack has been in the base of the horn for a long time, it has a beautiful dark brown halo around it.

View of the Original’s throat and tip. “Image courtesy of Cowan’s Auctions, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio.”

Larry Gotkin Horn with E. Pluribus Unum in a banner above the eagle,

“Image courtesy of Cowan’s Auctions, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio.”

There is a fringed-shirted hunter carrying a flintlock and a striped hound.

Larry Gotkin’s interpretation of the original horn.

It took a lot of work, and several re-scrapings before Larry got “into” the drawing style.  The original is dated 1790 just below the eagle’s tail, which he included as well, but Larry also signed and  dated his logo.

This is a great example of contemporary workmanship done in the style of an original horn.

http://www.larrygotkin.com

PowderHorns and More supplied the cow horn that was a similar size and shape. The beginning of a masterpiece with only four pictures to go by.

Detail of the screw tip on the horn.

First attempt at the Eagle

Another attempt at the Eagle

The finished Eagle with stain.

Wife Horn by Cory Joe Stewart

We have known Cory Joe Stewart since we started Powder Horns and More in 2006.  He was working on his PHD in Early American History and doing powder horns as a hobby. Now he is working in education in North Carolina

This is one of Cory’s early horns. He found this old saying about what you should do concerning your wife and your powder horn.

This horn has a small dome base with a staple. The scallops at the tip add a nice touch. The throat has some nice engrailing.

Old saying about not sharing your wife or your horn by Cory Joe Stewart

Take not this horn

for fare or shame

for on it lies the owners name

My horn my wife I

Do intend to use

But not to lend if that

should cause strife

I would lend me horn

before me wife

Cory Joe Stewart coryjoes@gmail.com

Horn for Fellow Vet by Jason Jacobs

Jason Jacobs writes:

I used one of your horns to make this finished horn for my cousin, Terry.

Terry was with the 502nd BN, 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam. He had a
very difficult time after he got home and he did not really open up to anyone
until after I was deployed overseas and came home myself.

Campaign Horn by Jason Jacobs

The centerpiece of the design (the Eagle) was inspired by one of Mike

Robert’s horns seen on your Customer Creations page. I added the “502″ to the shield and the banner above the eagle reads “Rendezvous With Destiny”, the battle cry of the 101st.

Horn by Jason Jacobs for his cousin Terry Smith

The plug and stopper are walnut and I finger-wove the strap from buckskin.

Horn by Jason Jacobs cjacobs@tipmont.net

Wabash Valley Works is a veteran owned and operated business specializing in the manufacturing of fine, reproduction 18th Century weapons and accouterments.

Featured Artist – Craig Cox – Wye Mountain Trading Company

Craig is a native to Arkansas where he lives with his wife Shy and two sons, Mason (16) and Conner (13).

Craig Cox and Sons

The outdoors, history and two sons soon led to the first Rendezvous. The first powder horn was a primitive map scrimshawed with a knife of the first Rendezvous for his oldest son Mason. From there the horns began to progress a little more each time.

Craig set up at an event

These have been gifts to family and friends.

Regaining history through these horns has become a passion for Craig. Craig tries to pay respect to history and creates his horns based on history or artifacts. A journey, event, place or person’s story in history is retold in each horn. A map to a Rendezvous, Benjamin Franklin’s Join or Die, the battle of Yorktown,

Port Royal horn

and the loss of the pirates’ haven at Port Royal have been retold in horns by Craig.

Craig and his sons also work with leather and have begun blacksmithing. Craig has made hunting pouches, a purse for his wife and recently a purse for Ms. Katey Sagal of “Sons of Anarchy”. Mason is the oldest son and the most artistic of the family with his drawings.

Franklin Join or Die Horn

Mason has begun making powder horns and has the ability to make a name for himself with his artwork. Conner has taken a fearless liking to blacksmithing. Conner’s first project was making a blade from a railroad spike. Not wanting to start small, he relentlessly beat the metal into his first blade.

Map Horn

Purse for Ms. Katey Sagal of “Sons of Anarchy”

Wye Mountain Trading Company was established for the Rendezvous and in hopes of a future brick and mortar store on the mountain. You can reach Craig and the boys at wyemtntradingco@yahoo.com.

Copy of an 1812 horn by Francis Tansel made by Tim Crosby and TC Albert

Ft. Meigs Tansel Horn by Tim Crosby and engraved by TC Albert

This horn is featured in Muzzle Blast Magazine May 2012.  It is also on The Contemporary Makers blog. The Ft Meigs horn was made by Tim Crosby and TC Albert, long-time friends of ours.  This copy is based on two original horns made by Francis Tansel. One horn is currently displayed at the Fort Meigs museum and historic site. The other is in a private collection.

Two very similar Ft. Meigs were made by Francis while he actually served at Ft. Meigs as a volunteer in Boswell’s 10th Kentucky Militia regiment. Being listed as sick, Francis Tansel was left behind at Ft. Meigs, Ohio country. General Harrison ordered all but a hundred of his troops north into Canada where they arrived in time to help defeat the British Army at the Battle of the Thames on October 5th 1813. It was probably during these events that Francis Tansel carved his Fort Meigs powder horns.

Ft. Meigs events http://www.fortmeigs.org/

TC Albert writes:

“Trench art is generally defined as an object relating to a war or conflict that was decorated by a direct participant during those events.  Francis Tansel joined Boswell’s 10th militia in May 1813 from Scott County Kentucky.  He carved and dated a pair of powder horns while stationed at Fort Meigs during the war of 1812. “

“The special horn for this set, complete with its turned and applied walnut tip, fish mouth, and toothed engrailing  was crafted by Tim Crosby. Then, using images of the original Tansel Fort Meigs horn as a pattern, the horn was engraved by T.C Albert.

Detail of the craftsmanship of Tim Crosby and TC Albert

Contemporary Longrifle Association’s live auction commemorating the War of 1812

“Francis and his sons, John, Timothy and Stark are widely known for their famous carved powder horns, engraved in what has fittingly become known as “The Tansel” style. That they eventually settled in the Indiana territory as farmers and horn smiths is also common knowledge, but it’s not so well-known that Francis himself was a veteran of The War of 1812. We can only speculate what the bulk of his war-time experiences were, and how they influenced the recurring use of patriotic themes on the horns that he and his sons carved. This Live Auction offering tries to bring a little bit of that experience back to life.

This horn and many other 1812 items will be available August 18th 2012 at the CLA Live Auction in Lexington Kentucky.

Text from the articles  by TC Albert. Contemporary Makers Blog and Muzzle Blasts Magazine.  Photos by TC Albert

Wild Willy Frankfort on the cover of The Horn Book

This is the cover of The Horn Book (winter 2012), the magazine of The Honorable Company of Horners.  It is an original painting by Willie Frankfort of himself sitting at a table with horn items around him.

The sign reads, “Horn Shop at Ye Gaston Town. Makers Powder horns ~ Cups ~ Spoons ~ and Snuffboxes.

At the bottom, it says: ” The Master Craftsman

A Canvas sits alone and bare awaiting a touch so tender with care

Strokes applied with care and delight, images forming an incredible sight,

A splendid design of flowers and vines of birds with feathers appearing to shine,

If you look in the center you will see the master craftsman looking at thee. “

Anonymous

Willy Frankfort tells me that this painting although nice, it’s not his favorite style.  He is an illustrator and a cartoonist and likes the folksy sketches from the 17th and 18th century.  He likes to mingle his style with that of past artists and I think it  came out really nice.

Willie writes in his biography.

Wiilliam “Wild Willy” Frankfort

Hello, I am Wm. “Wild Willy” Frankfort artist and professional Horner.

I am a registered Master Horner with the Honorable Company of Horners.  A Guild started in 1996 to assist and instruct artists and craftsmen in the endeavor of creating powder horns and other horn items.  (Cups, spoons, combs, etc.)  I became a Master in 2006 and have accumulated numerous awards for my craft.  I am a founding member of, “Rangers of the Ohio Company” and currently a member of, “The First Virginia Regiment” Experimental Archeologist, and Re-Enactors.  My passion is 18th century frontier history, particularly the Virginia backcountry.

I am currently teaching at Pricketts Fort, West Virginia in the, “Teaching History Through the Arts” program and have been an instructor with the National Parks Service and many private and local programs for the last twenty odd years.

I was looking on Wild Willy’s website and the Jamestown Horn caught my eye. It is a late 17th century style flat “partitioned” horn.  It is about 13″ long and has three panels on both sides.

The first panel is a map of the Roanok area with shipwreks, islands, and natives.  It is taken from one of the original Jamestown maps.

The next panel is of the compass rose of the of the original map, and the last is a ship from the map.

The top band states, “The pictures of sundry things from the voyage made by Sir Walter Raleigh Knight 1585.”

A WERON (Warrior)

The reverse side offers three panels of the natives from that area.

A Cheiff Lorde

The horn is covered in geometrics and has one applied ring and spout.  For more information contact William Frankfort, wildwilly1747@verizon.net, or if he is out of town, his son Zachary, zfrankfort1911@stu.aii.edu