A Simple Priming Horn
 

I needed a priming horn for my flintlock rifle and couldn't find anything that I really liked. I had this old horn laying around and decided it could be something to learn on.

The horn was rough but the small size was what I needed so I started scraping. I used a piece of broken glass then a wood rasp to shape it.

When the shape was right, I found a scrap piece of Walnut for an end plug.
I should have used Pine as it's easier to work with but didn't didn't know until I had the Walnut fitted. Maybe I should have read up on horn making. :o

I needed a plug for the spout after drilling the hole and found an Oak dowel rod that would work. Again, maybe I should have used Pine. I turned it down on my belt sander so it wasn't too bad but I'm sure I'll end up making a couple more before the horn is finished.

I've been using sand paper then steel wool to work over any inperfections in the horn.

I still have some work to do such as wood pins to hold in the end plug and then fitting an end cap over the plug.

I may even try my hand at scrimshaw.
Here are some pictures so far.

Re: Simple Priming Horn
 

I think that is a piece of art. Looks pretty nice and it looks like it would be fun to make.

Re: Simple Priming Horn
 

Your base plug needs to be sealed so its airtight. Round toothpicks make good wood pins.

Re: Simple Priming Horn
 

i'll have to dig the one I made out. made it a couple decades ago.. similar to yours using a small horn. many that brings back memories!

good job. looks better than mine by far as I recall.

Re: Simple Priming Horn
 

I plan on using toothpicks for the wood pegs.

I'm using parafin and epoxy to seal those cracks then making a nice endcap.

Re: Simple Priming Horn
 

Woodnut sent me several scraps of some nice wood.
I chose the Thuya Burl. Nice figure and color for the horn.

The endcap is in place. Now for the fun part of working it down.

It will be slow going but maybe a picture today.

I still have a long way to go on this project.

Re: Simple Priming Horn
 

I'm getting closer to getting this little priming horn finished.

The end cap is in place so I took this picture of the horn
and my hand sewn shooting bag made by Jimmy Allen back in the early '80's.

I still have to drill and install the wood pegs and add a metal
staple to the end cap. Then I can put a finish on the end cap.

It already looks better than I expected but it's my first try at
making something like this and I only have hand tools.

Re: Simple Priming Horn
 

Love that Thuya Burl Sam. A little more polishing and that will be awesome. Great job.

Re: Simple Priming Horn
 

I also like the way you rounded the sharp edge of the end cap. Looks good. The pictures of the progress is also very nice. You will own a piece of art when finished.

Re: Simple Priming Horn
 

I haven't rounded that edge much as I may thin down the end cap a little more. Maybe I need to look at some old priming horn pictures before I do anything else.

Re: A Simple Priming Horn
 

Looking mighty fine. Those were very personal items so doing it your way is the right way.

Re: A Simple Priming Horn
 

Looks great!!!
Doinin it yerself is the only way to make it yers. Like Todd said those were personal items, they were made and modified by the owner sometimes over a period of years round campfires. When yer done you defiantly won't be able to buy its like anywhere, and that will make it even better.
We used to have a couple to blow to call in the dogs durin a coon hunt.

Re: A Simple Priming Horn
 

very nice. my possibles bag I made looks much rougher!

are you going to add a cork stopper to the back plate to add powder?

Re: A Simple Priming Horn
 

That's going to be a really nice looking priming horn when it's finished! Great job so far! I really want to see the finished product!

Re: A Simple Priming Horn
 

Very nice work.

Re: A Simple Priming Horn
 

I thinned down the end cap today and installed the wood pegs around the base of the end cap. I also got most of the polishing done.

Now for the scrimshaw.

I'll post pics of the finsihed product when done.

Re: A Simple Priming Horn
 

I would think he would use a threaded finial.

Re: A Simple Priming Horn
 

i don't have a way to cut interior threads in wood.. so i went cork.. :)

Re: A Simple Priming Horn
 

I'll fill thru the pour spout with a paper funnel.

Re: A Simple Priming Horn
 

That's how I do it.
After all, you don't use THAT much powder for the priming - -

Re: A Simple Priming Horn
 

You can buy a brass one.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y26...stuff/0013.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y26...stuff/0024.jpg

Or use a tap and die on the wood.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y26...stuff/0042.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y26...stuff/0032.jpg

Re: A Simple Priming Horn
 

now there a thought. use a coarse bras threaded bushing and use a brass plug in the center.. drill the head of the plug for a lanyard.

HMM...

need to go dig out my old horn..

Re: A Simple Priming Horn
 

You don't want to drill the plug because you will need to unscrew it. Unless you just want to get your strap all twisted up.:D

Re: A Simple Priming Horn
 

swivel... ez tech.. :)

Re: A Simple Priming Horn
 

Not very period tho.:D One of mine is slotted and the other is tied. The finial just spins in them.