Colonial Period Living History
Contributors
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Powder Horns
Powder Horns from raw Bull horns. 

These horns started as raw bull horns and were worked to the various designs shown. A finished horn has many uses, not limited to blackpowder. The top two are for blackpowder flint locks, the bottom two for carrying water.

Raw Bull Horns

Water Flask

Powder Horn with Scrimshaw design

Bull Horns, before and after


These horns started as raw bull horns and were worked to the various designs shown. A finished horn has many uses, not limited to blackpowder. The top two are for blackpowder flint locks, the bottom two for carrying water.

Raw Bull Horns

Water Flask

Powder Horn with Scrimshaw design

Bull Horns, before and after
Deer Hide "Brain Tanning"
Natural "brain" tan Deer Hide, before (left) and after (right). 

This photo demonstrates the before and after of "smoking" a hide, the final step needed to make the hide ready for use. Smoking not only tans the hide, it also protects the hide fiber against water allowing it to be washed over and over again. For a great source, check out http://braintan.com/. I highly recommend Matt Richards' "Deerskins to Buckskins", both volumes.


This photo demonstrates the before and after of "smoking" a hide, the final step needed to make the hide ready for use. Smoking not only tans the hide, it also protects the hide fiber against water allowing it to be washed over and over again. For a great source, check out http://braintan.com/. I highly recommend Matt Richards' "Deerskins to Buckskins", both volumes.