Original 19th Century Powder Horn and Powder Flask Lot For Muzzle Loading Firearms – 5 Items Original Items

Original Items: Only One Lot of 5 Available. A muzzleloader is any firearm into which the projectile and the propellant charge is loaded from the muzzle of the gun (i.e., from the forward, open end of the gun’s barrel). This is distinct from the modern (higher tech and harder to make) designs of breech-loading firearms. The term “muzzleloader” applies to both rifled and smoothbore type muzzleloaders, and may also refer to the marksman who specializes in the shooting of such firearms. The firing methods, paraphernalia and mechanism further divide both categories as do caliber (from cannons to small-caliber palm guns).
 
Powder Horns: A powder horn was a container for gunpowder, and was generally created from cow, ox or buffalo horn. The term may also be used for any personal container for gunpowder, the shape has to be long and curved for which powder flask is the strictly correct term.
 
Typically there was a stopper at both ends, in later examples spring-loaded to close automatically for safety. The wide mouth was used for refilling, while the powder was dispensed from the narrow point. In some cases the point was closed and the mouth used for both, with a powder measure, a type of scoop used to dispense the powder, and in others both ends were open and the horn merely used as a funnel. The horn was typically held by a long strap and slung over the shoulder.
 
The inside and outside of a powder horn were often polished to make the horn translucent so that the soldier would be able to see how much powder he had left. The use of animal horn along with nonferrous metal parts ensured that the powder would not be detonated by sparks during storage and loading. Horn was also naturally waterproof and already hollow inside.
 
There are 5 powder horns in this lot. They all appear undamaged and functional. Two of the horns are missing the stopper. The are no carvings present except for two which bear matching images of a fish.
 
Powder Flasks: A powder flask is a small container for gunpowder, which was an essential part of shooting equipment with muzzle-loading guns, before pre-made paper cartridges became standard in the 19th century. They range from very elaborately decorated works of art to early forms of consumer packaging, and are widely collected. Many were standardized military issue, but the most decorative were generally used for sporting shooting.
 
This powder flask is stamped brass and has a telescopic valve, still functional. The image featured on both sides are of a rabbit running through a field with trees and hills in the background. It does have minor dents present, but it still functional.
 
All items come more than ready for display or use!