Powder Horn, Dumbarton Castle

sketchfab

This is a typical 19th century scrimshaw powder horn, a container for gunpowder made from a flattened horn, originating from Dumbarton Castle. Powder horns were generally crafted from cow or oxen horns. With stoppers at both ends, its wide mouth was used for easy refilling, while the powder was dispensed from the narrow point. The use of animal horn combined with nonferrous metal parts ensured that the powder would not be detonated by sparks during storage and loading. Additionally, horns are naturally waterproof and hollow, making them an ideal choice for this purpose. For information on visiting Dumbarton Castle, please visit our website. Dimensions: 180 x 135 x 30mm. Rae Project | DUM145.