2025 Annual Meeting/Horn Fair Raffle

Download tickets here.

2024 Gunmakers Fair at Kempton
The horn and pouch was won by Bob Copner.

– Eric Borneman

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HCH Summer Raffle

One of our  Founding Members and Master Horners, the late Erv Tschantz, wanted a Master Horner Roland Cadle horn, but the only way he could get one, was by buying this amazing rig of powder horn, pouch, knife and a small tomahawk hanging off the back! This set was a proud possession and as such it has been donated to the guild by Erv’s wife, Julie. It is her wish that the outfit goes to someone who understands its significance and that it benefits the guild.

The set consists of a Roland Cadle horn and a shooting bag, adorned with a knife and tomahawk, each with their own unique crafted details made in a historic manner.

 

 

 

 

 

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HCH Summer Reception Auction

Summer heat and humidity requires proper hydration, and what better way to drink your necessary fluids, than in a set of frosted glass contemporary horn stemware donated by John Kiselica, or in a traditional horn beaker with a chimed horn bottom, crafted by Journeyman Jeff Gier, with a second beaker on the way crafted by an undisclosed member.

 

**There will be an additional relevant item to the winning bidder, at the close of the auction.**

2024 Annual Meeting/Horn Fair Raffle - Winners Announced

Update: The fundraising was a success. Barry Maxwell won the raffle and Paul Brennan won the auction.

There was two major fundraising events over the weekend including a raffle for an exceptionally engraved horn cup made by Chris Helsel and engraved by Kathy England. The winning ticket was pulled at the end of the Fair on Saturday afternoon. Also, at the end of Saturday’s banquet, a special item was offered up for auction – The Journeymen III’s “collaborative” horn, which was started at this year’s Horn Fair, continued to be worked on at the Gunmakers Fair at Kempton and was completed during the upcoming 2024 Horn Fair.

2023 Gunmakers Fair at Kempton HCH Member Raffle

The winner’s name was drawn on Sunday at the 2023 Gunmakers Fair at Kempton. Please congratulate Mike Birch of Pittsburgh PA as the winner of the Dick Toone bag and horn.

This year’s summer reception raffle consists of a Washington specified bullet bag and Philadelphia kit powder horn all hand made using 18th Century tools and methods – See Dick Toone’s article “Supply Orders of the Utmost Urgency” in The Horn Book for a complete description with photos.
Raffle tickets will be $5 per each or a sheet of 5 for $20. They can be purchased at the Guild’s Table, at the summer reception, or at the link below. You do not have to be present to win.

The raffle is over.

 

2023 HCH Annual Meeting/Horn Fair Raffle

We had a successful auction. The winner was John DeWald.

Guild member James Pease has graciously donated a Dixon’s Judges’ Choice Award winning Berks County Screw tip horn and bag set to help support the mission of our organization. The bag is nicely lined and with an internal pocket, displays a fine piece of hair-on bovine hide which accents the finely crafted powder horn in shape and tone. With an adjustable strap using a brass buckle resembling originals, this will suit just about anyone on a trek or daytime frolic. Accompanying this set is a handmade turned bone pick and brush set kept with a handmade chain donated by member Ray Antosh.

A Success! – 2022 Auction of the Masters – 25th Annual Meeting/Horn Fair

March 15, 2022 UPDATE:
By all accounts, the 25th Anniversary Horn Fair and Annual Meeting was a success, which includes the Auction of the Masters (round two).
We raised over 7 thousand dollars for the Guild. Thank you to all that participated to make the auction a success.

-Your Executive Committee

In 2016, the Honourable Company of Horners celebrated its 20th year of being the leading organization in the research, preservation and education of the art of hornwork. One of the highlights of that year was the “Auction of the Masters”. The auction, which involved all of the members who had achieved the prestigious status of Master Horner (except the late Ron Ellert) showcased a wonderful assortment of hand crafted horn items. Each item bore a commemorative “touchmark” linking all of the items to this special event.
Over the past five years, the Guild has grown and changed and it has added seven new Master Horners to its ranks. How does one become a Master Horner you ask??? Members must demonstrate a superlative level of ability in carving, heating & pressing, turning, engraving, and integrating woods and metals with cow horn by presenting three horn objects. They must also give an original written and oral presentation to the HCH at an annual meeting or to another accredited organization on some aspect of horn working or its history. As you can see, it’s no easy feat to become a Master Horner!
In celebration of its 25th anniversary, the Guild has decided to once again celebrate the skill of its Master Horners, by again showcasing their work through a similar event. All seven new Masters agreed to donate their time and skills to create a horn item of their choice, in their own style. Each was asked to incorporate the specially designed 25th Anniversary touchmark, somewhere on their item. Some latitude and artistic expression was given to the artisans in the fulfillment of the touchmark.
As you can see, they did not disappoint with their creativity and talent. The seven items below will be auctioned off at the HCH’s 25th Anniversary Horn Fair on March 4th and 5th, 2022.

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Clinton Byers of Lenior, NC: A unique, curled Scottish snuff mull made in an early 1780’s style from the tip of a Highland Cattle horn. This mull features a simple lid with a handmade copper “butterfly” type hinge. The creation of this particular mull was chronicled by Clint during his Masters presentation at the 2020 Annual Meeting and is featured in Part 3: Curling the Horn, of his article “The Scottish Pocket Mull: A study in its origins, evolution, and manufacture”, as published in the Horn Book.

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John DeWald of Pennsdale, PA: A delicate all horn beaker with horn handle and rivets. The cartouche was inspired by the HCH’s 10th Anniversary tee-shirt designed by Willy Frankfurt The script inside was also changed to reflect the Guild’s 25th Anniversary.

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Edward Long of Bethlehem, PA: A striking pressed bison horn with flats on the front and back. It incorporates an elegant 2-piece applied tip, turned out if whitetail antler with a yellow pine spout plug. All parts are pinned with copper and the base is natural bone.

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Walter Mabry of Jackson, MS: An excellent example of a horn in the Tansel family style. It features a hand carved, applied spout and a lathe turned, hardwood maple plug with strap attachment. The ageing and accents were accomplished with varying strengths of Aqua Fortis.

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Rex Reddick of Denison, TX: A wonderfully crafted, traditional style walking stick of curly maple in a tapered octagon form. It features a turned, pear wood top with 3 horn bands encompassing a “cup” engraved with the cartouche of the HCH’s 25th Anniversary. This, along with the two piece horn tip is reminiscent of the various parts of a powder horn.

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Tim Sanner of Rockwood, PA: An intriguing double candle holder in his own original design. The main body is comprised of rounded horn, engraved in the style of John Bush and includes the HCH Anniversary logo. The cap and bottom are made of hand turned sapele wood. The adjustable arm, also made of sapele, is threaded onto a dowel of maple wood and threaded for the arm’s height adjustment. To finish the design, tin cups hold beeswax candles.

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Rick Sheets of Durham, NC: A beautiful, neutral curved powder horn with engraving inspired by Richard Cresey, also known as “The Hellhorse Engraver”. The horn has a low cherry dome butt with incised design and a light artificial patina. It comes with a Polizzi woven strap and a display stand.

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The public is welcome to attend this event at no charge and we’d like to offer a special invite to our friends of the NMLRA!

25th Anniversary Raffle - Update

UPDATE – Dec. 16, 2020

The 25th Anniversary Meeting has been cancelled for 2021.

The drawing will be on March 5th, 2022. All received tickets to date will be included. Tickets are available on a link below.
Please click here for more information about the meeting.

 

Clarification!

This raffle is available to Anyone participating. You do not have to be present to win.

A Special Commemorative Serving Platter
by Pennsylvania Redware Potter
SELINDA KENNEDY
In Recognition of
The Honourable Company of Horners 25th Anniversary

 

 

In recognition of The Honourable Company of Horners’ 25th Anniversary (1997-2021), Selinda Kennedy has designed and handmade a serving platter to celebrate this special occasion.

            The platter is 18” tall by 15” wide and features elements of figures and patterns that can be found on various original powder horns of the 17^th and 18^th centuries.  It also features a phrase credited to St. Francis of Assisi that epitomizes the spirit of the artisan.  “He who works with his hands is a laborer – He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman – He who works with his hand, his head, and his heart is an artist.”  At the center of the platter is an oval featuring the HCH logo with the annotation “25th Anniversary 2021” at its base.  This is indeed a special work of art by Selinda Kennedy and commissioned by the HCH in recognition of the Guild’s founding.

The platter will be raffled off with the drawing taking place during the Guild’s Annual Horn Fair at the Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania on March 5th ,2022.  The funds generated from this raffle will go to help offset the Guild’s 25th Anniversary Horn Fair costs. The price for the tickets is 5 dollars for one or 20 dollars for five. Please download, fill-out and mail the tickets to Eric Borneman; his address is on the tickets.

Please note that there will be no registration charge for those attending!  As in past years, all NMLRA members, spouses and friends are welcomed to attend free of charge as guests of the Guild.  This invitation is due to the strong bond that has developed over the years between the NMLRA and the HCH and the devotion of the two organizations to the Longrifle Culture.

To view more of Selinda’s redware pottery, please go to her Facebook site at:  facebook.com/kennedyredware.  She can also be contacted by phone at (570) 546-6695 or via email at:  selindakenndy1@gmail.com.

A Success! 2020 Virtual Raffle - Drawing September 5th, 2020

Hello Guild Members!,

Our first “virtual raffle” was held and viewed by many. Congratulations to our winner Master Horner John Proud.

Eric Borneman

 

Greetings Fellow Guild Members!

As we deal with the loss of our annual summer gathering due to Covid-19, your executive committee has come up with a way for us to share in some camaraderie and gather online for a live drawing of our fundraising raffle! We will conduct a live feed on our Facebook page and while gathered to see and chat with everyone, we will hold our raffle at that time for all to see near and far.

We realize that not all of our members are on on Facebook, but don’t let that stop you from participating by purchasing tickets. Facebook is merely the platform for the drawing, you don’t have to see the drawing and you do not have to have a Facebook account to win!

Why
The funds generated from this raffle will go to offset any costs of the next annual meeting.
Prize
An entirely handmade set by Chuck Brownewell, which received multiple judge’s choice awards at the 2019 Dixon’s fair. Ball bag with horn spout, flat horn with collar and turned spout, double bag with forged buckle on adjustable strap, with attached measure, pick, and brush. A fine complete set to compliment any traditional muzzleloader for an adventure on the trail!!
How
$5 per ticket or a sheet of 5 for $20
Print out and fill in and mail it with your payment
Please make checks payable to Honourable Company of Horners
Mail by August 28, 2020 to Eric Borneman, 1323 Middleneck Drive, Salisbury MD 21804
When
September 5, 2020 at 1:00 pm
Live on Facebook, video will be recorded and posted for those without FB or who are unavailable at that time. Winner will be notified on FB, email and phone call, to allow me to arrange mailing to the winner of the drawing.

 

I will have a roster of all received names and entries to be turned over to our treasurer. Entries received after the drawing will be returned.
We hope everyone remains well and safe, and we all look forward to gathering again. We hope to see you “Virtually” on Sept 5 and thanks for supporting YOUR guild!

Humbly,
Eric Borneman,
Fundraising Committee Chairman

 

A Success! Fundraising Raffle and Auction Items for 2020 Annual Meeting

This year’s raffle and auction items have been generously donated by west coast guild members Journeyman Scott Morrison and Freeman Kevin Hart, and Ohio guild member Shelly Gier.

Raffle:

Journeyman Scott Morrison’s raffle Item is patterned from an original Tennessee bison screw tip in the Museum of the Fur Trade in Chadron NE.  The base plug is Armenian walnut and has a threaded horn finial.  Scott decided to use a pewter washer between the collar and tip instead of a bone washer on the original.  The strap was a custom order made by Kris Polizzi.

This was won by Journeyman Gary Elsenbeck.

 

 

 

Auction:

Our evening will conclude with a live auction for members in attendance.  This will give you an opportunity to bid on a beautifully carved and fully engraved horn by Kevin Hart, paired with a strap by Kris Polizzi and a shooting bag crafted by Shelly Gier to match.

This horn measures 14 inches long and 3 inches wide at the base with a turned walnut plug and turned horn stopper.  It is engrailed at the throat with a round to octagonal carving which includes both small and large wedding bands.  Engravings on this horn include “Honourable Company of Horner’s, 24^th Anniversary 1996-2020.”  Additional engraved items on this horn include F&I Fort Augusta, a small township, British Royal Seal, bird hunter shooting at birds, a smoking frog, Hellhorse, Frightened Moon and Star, geometric designs with cross, dove, humming bird, flowers and a butterfly.   HCH and makers cartouche are also present.

This item was won by Journeyman Don Fererro.

 

2018 Member’s Only Summer Raffle and Silent Auction During The Gunmakers Fair at Dixon’s

 We had two happy winners at the end of our fundraising events last month. Past Guildmaster, Master Horner Ed Long won the “members only” raffle and took home the beautiful knife made by Past Guildmaster Tom Ames and Guildmaster-elect, Master Horner John DeWald.

The silent auction of the donated bag and horn set by late Guild member, Robert Coffey went to Journeyman Horner Clint Byers. It becomes a really heart-warming story when you learn of all of the connections between Clint and Robert. I could think of no one better to win that auction!
– Kris Polizzi (August 18, 2018)

2018 “Members Only” Summer Raffle
This summer, we have a most amazing item that will be raffled off at the Summer Reception! This beautiful and creative knife was the result of teamwork between two of our most involved members, Past Guildmaster Tom Ames and Guildmaster-elect John DeWald. Tom’s contribution was making the blade & sheath.  The custom sheath is genuine

brain tanned/smoked moose hide. The handle was turned from a moose antler tine and then the Tammany heads were hand carved into each side of the handle by John. Once done the handle was dyed and aged the same way John does to all of his horns. Tickets will be on sale at the Guild table at Dixon’s and at the Summer Reception. Don’t worry, if you can’t make the summer reception, you do not have to attend. (This raffle has passed. Winner Ed Long.)
 

Silent Auction
Before his passing, greatly missed HCH member Robert Coffey left two bag and horn sets to the Guild, to use for fundraising purposes. Being able to determine the best way to do so, we thought fitting to allow the public at The Gunmakers Fair at Dixon’s the opportunity to bid on the items, as Robert was so well known at that venue. Last year we auctioned off the first set, Robert’s personal hunting set, a bag of his own making and an original horn. This year we will be offering the remaining set, one that Robert made himself, which won blue ribbon honors at Dixon’s. The set will be on display at the Guild’s table for the weekend, with the bidding opening on Thursday evening and running until 4pm on Saturday afternoon. (This auction has passed. Winner Clinton Byers.)

As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact Kris Polizzi at polizzifam@netzero.net.

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