House of the Messenger

As tensions stoked between the American colonies and British rule, patriots preparing for inevitable conflict knew every resource would be crucial - especially their limited supply of gunpowder. To carefully conserve this explosive commodity and keep their muskets loaded, Revolutionary soldiers turned to an ancient technology: the powder horn. A Scrimshaw Map Powder Horn Derived from the horn of a cow, ox, or buffalo, these hollow vessels provided a compact way for colonial militiamen to safely store and measure out modest charges of black gunpowder on the battlefield. The natural curved shape proved perfectly suited for being slung over the shoulder or attached to a pack, keeping this vital resource close at hand. The powder horn embodied the resourcefulness and field craftsmanship required of Revolutionary fighters. Horns were meticulously carved, scraped and sanded to create the ideal portable container. A wooden insert or lead plug sealed one end to allow filling with powder throug...