Rick Sheets
2nd Annual West Coast Horn Fair April 27 & 28, 2012
2nd Annual West Coast Horn Fair
April 27 & 28, 2012
Veteran’s Hall – Morro Bay, CA
- Hands on Demonstrations and Interesting Seminars
- Display Tables
- Blank Horns, Finished Horns and Supplies for Sale
- Books
- Steve Vance – Guest Speaker
- Raffles and Prizes
- Santa Maria Tri Tip Roast Banquet on Saturday night
For more information go to www.westcoasthornfair.com
Presented by Powderhorns and More, Inc.
P O Box 1922 – Morro Bay, CA 93443
www.powderhornsandmore.com
805-772-5367
“The Fortunate Ones: 18th Century Philadelphia as Seen Without Sight” by Frederick Noesner- A Book Review
One of our HCH members, Fred Noesner, has published a book of historic fiction. The book is about a gunsmith, Andrew Annaler, who is blinded in a black powder accident at Ft. Pitt during the French and Indian War. Andrew Annaler, now blind, must find his way to his home in Philadelphia and take up his trade in his father’s gunshop. The tale carries us through the run-up to the Revolutionary War. Mr. Noesner intersperses real articles from The Pennsylvania Gazette to anchor the storyline in history (a very nice touch!)
Most of all, this story is told from a blind person’s point of view in a time when there were no advocates for the blind. If one was blind in 18th Century Philadelphia and not one of “The Fortunate Ones,” life would have been very hard indeed. This story is also about family life and hope.
Mr. Noesner has a unique perspective as a blind person who loves antique weaponry and has worked as a Colonial historic interpreter at Historic Philadelphia. And he makes powder horns.
As mentioned earlier, Fred Noesner is a member of the guild and has been seen making powder horns at Dixon’s Gunmakers Fair and the HCH annual events at Fort Roberdeau and Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
You can find this 281 page soft cover book at various online venues, but I urge you to give Fred a call and ask for an autographed copy. The price is twenty dollars plus postage and worth every penny!
Fred can be reached at (215) 772-1752 (eastern time zone).
- Erv Tschanz, Master Horner (left) instucts Fred Noesner on lathe work.
March 31 & April 1, 2012 – Southern Longrifle Association’s Spring Gun Show, Williamsburg, Virginia
Tim and Carla Crosby at 2011 Williamsburg Show.
The Southern Longrifle Association’s Spring Gun Show will be held in Williamsburg, Virginia for its fifth year!
The HCH’s own Freeman Tim Crosby will be demonstrating how to build powder horns. Here Mr. Crosby is shown with his wife, Carla, who is a certified decorative artist. Mr. and Mrs. Crosby were at last year’s show and had nicely displayed handcrafted items, including banded horns and tole painted items.
When:
Saturday, March 31, 2012: 9:00am-5:00pm & Sunday, April 1, 2012 9:00am-3:00pm.
Where:
Holiday Inn-Patriot located on Richmond Road in Williamsburg, VA.
Contact Dennis Glazener (804) 794-4863 for more information.
Jacobsburg Powder Horn Class, Sundays: Feb. 5, 12, 19 & 26, 2012
Jacobsburg Historical Society has announced a powder horn class to be held on each Sunday in the month of February, 2012. (Feb. 5, 12, 19 & 26, 2012)
This weekend format works for those who cannot take-off work or have other weekday commitments. The line-up for the instructors is impressive. Bob Albrecht Master Horner, Frank Willis Journeyman Horner and Freeman Bob Chattin will be leading the classes.
You must register to attend. >>Here is the link.>>
Announcing a Screwtip/Banded Horn Class, April 13 & 14, 2012
The HCH’s own Master Horners, Roland Cadle and Art DeCamp, will be giving an intermediate class on horn building April 13-14, 2012 in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania.
Mark Thomas, Charter Member of the HCH in Muzzle Blasts Magazine
Freeman Mark Ewing examining Mark Thomas' (seated) horn work.
It is always nice to see a loyal HCH member get his due in a national publication. John Hayes crafted an excellent article on Mark Thomas for the December 2011 issue of Muzzle Blasts (the official publication of National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association). I read it twice and gave Mr. Thomas a phone call.
Our conversation was a little meandering… Shakerism, religion in America and England in the 18th Century, modern knife making and powder horn work. This was just in the first ten minutes! It always fun to speak with Mr. Thomas. I did ask him why he seems kind of dour in all of the published pictures of of him. He replied, “Those are the ones I have.” Well here is a picture I took at the Southern Arms and Crafts Show this year. Hopefully, it shows a artisan with a sense of humor as big as his talent.
By the way, his horn coloration is not a secret. He soaks his horns in bath of walnut and butternut hulls with osage orange sawdust. Sometimes he will hit a horn with a Bivins walnut stain if the horn needs a little something.
Please enjoy these pictures of some of Mark Thomas’ work. Every piece has some element of horn work.
Thanks for reading,
Rick Sheets
Here are some links to things mentioned in this blog post:
Southern Arms and Crafts Show (Williamsburg, VA).
The National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association.
Mark Thomas, Craftsman to the Past.
Highlights from Dixon’s Gunmakers Fair 2011
2011 Dixon's HCH Winners. Back row, left to right: Billy Griner, Bob Albrecht (sunglasses on hat). Middle row, left to right: Bill Legdon, Hoyt Masterson (with pouch), Chuck Brownewell Jr., David Rase, John Bolton (on end). Front row, left to right: David Belzer, Eddie McDilda, Jeff Bibb.
Please enjoy these pictures from the 2011 Dixon’s Gunmakers Fair at Kempton, Pennsylvania and our dinner at the Boulton Historic Site. The Honourable Company of Horners had a huge presence and all had a lot of fun to say the least. Our membership dominated the accoutrement judging and we had two junior members, David Belzer and Eddie McDilda, give a great showing with some pretty sophisticated horns.
Tom Ames breaks the tie- to a draw. Jeff Bibb looks on with amusement.
Our annual dinner looked like it might be rained out, but thanks to the tents and a break in the weather the dinner went ahead as planned. We had a wonderful ox roast, Italian and other dishes for our annual dinner at the Boulton Historic Site at Nazareth, Pennsylvania. Thanks to the good work and panning by Frank Willis (MH) and the site’s director Lyndsey Brown Frigm (and staff) all went on without a hitch.
www.jacobsburg.org
The Battle of the Titans vote came to a close in a tie. And a breathtaking tiebreaker that resulted in a draw. Team Roland and Team Billy were both gracious winners and perplexed losers at the same time. Those in attendance thoroughly enjoyed the battle of the southern bag and horn. It seems with the HCH there are only winners and this is one more example!
If you did not make it to Dixon’s and Boulton Historic Site this year, be sure to go next year.
We will have the additions to the Journeyman roll in a future issue of The Horn Book.
Regards,
Rick Sheets
Jeff Bibb's Blowing Horn Wins the 2011 Madison Grant Award.
The Cowboys visit with Master Horner John Proud.
 Master Horner Wild Willy Frankfort inspects possible new Journeyman work. |
 Art DeCamp and Mitch Yates caught hiding behind Allen Martin's display. |
January 28, 2012: Southern Longrifles and Powderhorns at MESDA, Old Salem, NC
Two HCH members, Jay Hopkins and Nick Powers will be speaking on Southern Powder Horns at the Museum of Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA) in Old Salem, NC. Mr. Wallace Gusler will be speaking on Virginia Gunsmiths.
We will have a strong showing from the HCH members from the southeast, but it would be great if we could pack the place with HCH members from all over! A visit to the well-maintained Moravian town and MESDA is worth the trip alone. You must register and there is a cost to come to the program. Links are at the bottom of this posting.
Regards,
Rick Sheets
MESDA Saturday Seminar:
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Speakers |
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| Virginia Gunsmiths The Material World of the Southern Rifleman |
Wallace Gusler, Independent Scholar Williamsburg, Virginia |
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Bone-tipped and Banded Horns: Regional Characteristics of Professionally Made Powderhorns of the South
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Jay Hopkins, Independent Scholar and Collector |
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Cityscapes and Savage States: The Multiple Identities Within a mid-18th Century Powderhorn
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Click Here to register for the MESDA program.
Click Here for Old Salem’s website.
Who Made This Horn?
“Powder Horns: Fabrication & Decoration” a book review
Jim Stevens is a member of the Honourable Company of Horners and an author. Stevens wrote Powder Horns: Fabrication & Decoration. I asked Stevens if I could review the book and he sent me a loaner copy very quickly. My assessment of the book follows and I hope you enjoy it. By the way, the HCH’s publication, The Horn Book, will have a more detailed article about Jim Stevens in the next issue. Thanks for reading, Rick Sheets HCH Webmaster
Powder Horns: Fabrication & Decoration
Author: Jim Stevens
Schiffer Publishing
Size: 8 1/2″ x 11″
Illustrations: 275 color photos
Pages: 176
Binding: Soft Cover
First of all, I want to thank Jim Stevens for allowing me to review his book.
The book is thoughtfully laid out in six chapters, from horn basics through how to strap the horn for carrying. You can start with a fresh horn or hull, learn to turn it into a powder horn, embellish it and then finish with a finger woven strap. Stevens’ book does not gloss over anything.
Something I look for in a “how to” book is appropriate illustrations or photographs. Stevens’ book has 275 of them. Stevens’ writing is clear and concise. He picked a clean, modern type face and size that makes the book easy to read.
Chapter 4 was most interesting for me. Stevens takes the reader through the decorating process. Stevens illustrates the time-tested scrimshaw techniques for the purist.
And then how to use technology to help get the image you want on your horn. The option of using modern transfer techniques is very nice if you have a complex image to reproduce or if you are challenged in drawing. So do it old-school or new-school; it is up to you.
I would like to point out that the book has what I consider a bonus; you will find a whole chapter on how to weave a strap using several different methods. Using the clear instructions in this book removes any excuse you have for making a nice horn and then strapping it badly!
After reading Powder Horns: Fabrication & Decoration, I can truthfully say, “Pick-up the book, then buy your horn and tools.” You will save a few false starts and a wasted horn or two.
>>Buy the book from Schiffer Publications from this link.<<
-Rick Sheets
PS: Please note that Jim Stevens will be giving: Scrimshaw Instruction June 6 – June 10, 2011 at The NRA Gunsmithing School Trinidad State Junior College (Trinidad, CO) Follow this link for more information. www.scrimshawstudio.com/tsjc.html
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