Revolutionary War Flat Powder Horn (SOLD)

This is another nice piece being offered, it is an original Revolutionary War Powder Horn. It is made of horn and measures 7” x 2” x 1”. It is unique because it is flat, which made it possible to be carried in a backpack or coat pocket. In order to get this shape, it had to be soaked, heated, and pressed flat in a form. It still has the original carved wood stopper with a small hole for attachment of a cord.

During the Revolutionary War, the powder horn was part of the essential equipment for any soldier who used a firearm. The rifleman carried his firelock, hunting pouch, and a horn to carry gunpowder. They were usually made from cow or ox horn. There is a near identical example of this horn in the NPS Guilford Revolutionary War Museum (see pictures).

Powder horns would continue to be used throughout the 19th century into the Civil War, however they were most common between the French and Indian War and the American Revolution (1754-1783). In the "Collectors Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution", there are examples of this powder horn (see pictures). Without a powder horn nearby, the guns of this era were useless.