Having done a little taxidermy in a former life I know that there's someone here that can provide a sound experienced answer to my question. I just purchased a 19th century powder horn about 9" long X 2.5" diameter. I believe the horn is either cow or ox. Is there any way to tell the difference between the two, ie, general color, shape, size, etc? I know many things can be done to change any one or all of these, but, this horn hasn't been heavily worked; purely a working man's horn.
Thank you in advance,
John
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John, Cow or Ox. Well, to be accurate, a cow is a female of cattle. An ox is a castrated bull of cattle trained to do pulling work (without the training he is called a steer). Oxen are not a particular breed though historically certain breeds were prefered. To answer your question,having not seen the horn, I would say it is a horn from a butchered cow or steer. For convienient carrying size really large horns were not needed though I have seen some big ones. Generally horned oxen would not be butchered young being too valuable and upon their death the horns would have a much larger diameter, useful for making a hound horn. Just my oppinion, Aaron H.
Aaron,
Thanks for the information. That's exactly the insight I needed. Would you be interested in seeing .jpegs of the horn? It's actually pretty interesting (I've looked at many over the years and made a few, but, never bought one until this one came along): hand forged staple and end ring, pine plug and stopper, square headed brads and what appears to be a 19th century suspender used as a strap with the buckle (same type and style dug in Civil War period locations). I could send a zip file if that would interest you. Let me know.
Again, thank you,
John Mattsn