Pouch and Powder Horn

The pouch and powder horn, along with the longrifle were indispensable to early settlers of the North American continent The heyday of the flintlock longrifle was from the mid 1700's, through the first quarter of the next century. Just like the rifle, the pouch became smaller, lighter in weight and more adapted to conditions in the forest. It sometimes had two compartments, but a single compartment was most prevalent. Usually the flap hung far down over the front so that its own weight held it in place and fasteners or buttons were not needed. This arrangement allowed almost instantaneous access. The pouch contained a separate bullet bag, bullet mold, tow for cleaning, extra flints, linen for patching material and other assorted tools and parts. The shoulder strap was kept short to allow the pouch to be snuggled against the ribcage when running so it would not swing freely or get caught in brush and branches. A powder measure, vent pick and sometimes a brush frequently hung from the shoulder strap for quick access, but the strap or chain on which they hung was usually kept short enough so that these items didn't bump the horn while stalking or hunting. Occasionally a patch knife was attached to the shoulder strap, or in this case, a slightly larger knife is shown behind the body of the pouch. The inexpensive ox or cow horn, when properly plugged and sealed with bees wax, provided the perfect durable, light weight, water resistant container for moisture sensitive black powder. Many horns and horn items such as buttons, spoons, combs and cups were made by craftsmen known as horners.

The cowhide pouch in this painting is a classic example of an early original companion to the longrifle. It belonged to a pioneer family from Venango County, Pennsylvania. The shoulder strap has been split at both ends to hold a powder horn which lays across the sewn-on flap, thereby helping to keep it closed. This single compartment pouch was made with the hair left on the outside, however, about ninety percent of it has been worn away. There is a very early repair of a worn hole on the lower right front which was hand stitched with linen thread. It is eight inches wide, and nine and a quarter inches high and the six and a quarter inch flap is hand stitched to the pouch The accompanying original knife was made from a worn out file. Its' blade is six and one eighth inches long and has a four inch curved antler handle The screw tip horn originally belonged to John Hanna of Chester County, Pennsylvania It has definite characteristics of an early York County, Pennsylvania horn. Mr. Hanna moved to western Pennsylvania in 1801 and the horn remained in the Hanna family until it was willed to the artist of this painting in 1965. The end cap is fruit wood with a single incised line around its body. The original staple was replaced in an early time with a hand-wrought, iron, eye hook. The horn is secured to the end cap with eleven hand-wrought, iron, nails. The location of the remaining original staple on the tip end, and the slight inward curve of the horn indicates that it was designed to be worn on the left side. The screw tip is a replacement, but its inside female threads match the original male threads of the horn perfectly. The horn measures fourteen inches from the end cap to the end of the original threads on the horn body. The end cap is three inches in diameter.

The elk antler powder measure is a replacement. The powder measure and vent pick were added to the painting to illustrate normal accessory items.

The pouch and knife are from the collection of Richard Rosenberger who is co-author of the book entitled The Longrifle of Western Pennsylvania.

The powder horn is in the collection of the artist of this painting.

The highly detailed painting entitled "Pouch and Powder Horn" has been reproduced as a very limited edition, archival quality, giclee canvas print of only ten individually signed and numbered reproductions.

The giclee process, especially in small quantities, is an extremely costly endeavor, however, it allows the collector to obtain a superior quality, lasting work of art which can be displayed without the need of protective matting or glass.