Powder Horn 1872 primitive scrimshaw; real or fake? what does it mean?

[HistoryTeacher]

Dear T-neters,
I got this from my family for research a little bit back. I think that they thought that a history teacher would figure it out. I have googled so much that ads for antique powder horns show up in my gmail. I took this R-rated horn to an antique gun and militaria show. Three people offered me $100.00 for it. Its not for sale; I don't own it. All they could tell me was that it looked to be a real animal horn, that 1872 was really too late for making and using a powder horn, and did I know that there were naked girls on there?

What I know: it was in my Grandfather's house. He worked for the Frisco RR from the 1930's to the 1980's. We remember it being in the house at least since the early 1970's. Because he worked for the RR he traveled alot.

The text seems to read "ARBLLPALFERD MARCH THE 11 1872" There is also a diamond (in the dark area) that says "1R7" or "L?1".

It is about 9" long. The large end is about 2"-2.5" across.

There appears to be several figures include people and some mutant birds?

I'd given up on solving it until I saw someone post a picture that I thought was unsolvable. It was solved in 48 hours. Any thoughts?

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

How to Research for Treasure Hunting and Metal Detecting From Lead Generation to Vetting - Grab it through Amazon!

[relic nut]

Very cool! I'm no expert, but it looks authentic to me.
As far as the date being too late for making and using a powder horn, I disagree. Many people couldn't afford the new technology and used muzzleloader rifles for many years.

HH, RN

 

[DCMatt]

The figure in pic #8 appears to be a military officer with a double breasted jacket and sash. He also has chin whiskers.

 

[DCMatt]

Other figures may be Native Americans. One has a bow. Interesting that they all have hair that stands up...

I'm guessing one bird is supposed to be a peacock.

 

[HistoryTeacher]

The figure in pic #8 appears to be a military officer with a double breasted jacket and sash. He also has chin whiskers.

For weeks I have been seeing that as chest hair; but your explanation makes much more sense. I'm laughing at myself.

 

[HistoryTeacher]

Other figures may be Native Americans. One has a bow. Interesting that they all have hair that stands up...

I'm guessing one bird is supposed to be a peacock.

One even has a tail. They remind me of this engraving I use in my US history classes showing early colonial Virginia Natives. But this image is over 250 years earlier

 

[DCMatt]

"One even has a tail..."


Sadly, non-whites, have been depicted by some whites as "monkeys" for a couple of centuries. Even Irish immigrants of the 1870's were called 'apes' in an effort to dehumanize them.


I believe that's what we're seeing here...

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Small for a powder horn, but a good size short hunts. 1872 is pretty late for m/l, but in some regions they were in common use into the 1920's and in smaller calibers (small game was more common).

When it comes to what owners did to amuse themselves on their powder horns the sky is the limit.

Maybe the guy was dumped by APRIL ALFERD so he defaced his own horn to disguise the letters to ARBLLPALFERD. Who knows? It was also common to drop vowels. ARaBeLLe PALFERD (wife/girlfriend?)

 

[DCMatt]

"I'm guessing one bird is supposed to be a peacock."

Maybe a ruffed grouse instead...

 

[sawmill man]

It looks aged , cool as all heck to.

 

[DCMatt]

I also see a tattooed person sitting next to an anatomically correct woman with earrings and a skirt.

Tattooed and spiked hair? Pawnee?

 

[HistoryTeacher]

Any thought on the "1R7" in the diamond? That seems military to me, but what could it be? I am reading it right?

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Maybe a ruffed grouse instead...

 

[Subterranean]

Just maybe, the scenes depicted are not North American, but African. ARBLLPALFERD could conceivably be the misspelled abbreviation and conglomeration of the ship's name, "Arabella" or similar, along with Port Alfred, South Africa. The date may have been the day of arrival or departure of the ship at the port. The primitive folks could be native Africans. The birds very well could be birds of paradise or peacocks. I can see the man with the beard being a caucasian sailor, based on the clothing. The numbers in the diamond could be LVI, Roman numerals for 56, whatever that means (birthday?) Anywhooo, always fun to speculate! Sub

 

[Bramblefind]

Just maybe, the scenes depicted are not North American, but African. ARBLLPALFERD could conceivably be the misspelled abbreviation and conglomeration of the ship's name, "Arabella" or similar, along with Port Alfred, South Africa. The date may have been the day of arrival or departure of the ship at the port. The primitive folks could be native Africans. The birds very well could be birds of paradise or peacocks. I can see the man with the beard being a caucasian sailor, based on the clothing. The numbers in the diamond could be LVI, Roman numerals for 56, whatever that means (birthday?) Anywhooo, always fun to speculate! Sub

That's an interesting thought! I found this link - the images look to be a different style from the OP's piece but it does show that this art was practiced there in the 1870s-

ZULU ART OR SAILORS' SCRIMSHAW? - South African Military History Society

 

[HistoryTeacher]

Just maybe, the scenes depicted are not North American, but African. ARBLLPALFERD could conceivably be the misspelled abbreviation and conglomeration of the ship's name, "Arabella" or similar, along with Port Alfred, South Africa. The date may have been the day of arrival or departure of the ship at the port. The primitive folks could be native Africans. The birds very well could be birds of paradise or peacocks. I can see the man with the beard being a caucasian sailor, based on the clothing. The numbers in the diamond could be LVI, Roman numerals for 56, whatever that means (birthday?) Anywhooo, always fun to speculate! Sub

These are some interesting ideas. Could be Roman numerals. When I first saw the horn I thought ship and South Pacific, but couldn't really find anything to substantiate. I didn't even think of Africa.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

How is the "1872" written?

Also - the bull that produced the horn looks to have been a Pineywood or Charolais (small, light sheath, black center) - European or North/South America in 1872.

 

[HistoryTeacher]

How is the "1872" written?

Also - the bull that produced the horn looks to have been a Pineywood or Charolais (small, light sheath, black center) - European or North/South America in 1872.

Opps. I didn't get a picture of the date. I'll get one up a little later. The type of horn could be a big help with its story.

 

[DCMatt]

I'm not seeing Roman numerals.

 

[DCMatt]

I feel like the piece is American Indian Wars era as dated.


1872 was during Grant's Peace Policy with the tribes - when he tried to feed them instead of kill them. Maybe that's why the carved figures seem passive.


The killing really began after gold was discovered in the Black Hills.


I can't find anything significant about March 11, 1872.