A powder horn was a container for gunpowder, and was generally created from cow, ox, or buffalo horn. This horn was used to carry gunpowder for flintlock and percussion cap muskets and rifles by soldiers and hunters in New Brunswick during the 18th and 19th century.
Preparing powder horns involved removing the inner material of the horn by boiling it with water. Typically there was a stopper at both ends, caulked with beeswax or animal fat, with the shape of the horn acting as a funnel. The wide mouth was used for refilling, while the powder was dispensed from the narrow point. The horn was typically held by a long strap and slung over the shoulder. The inside and outside of a horn would be polished to make the horn translucent so that a soldier or hunter would be able to see how much powder he had left. For a bit of flair, these horns would frequently be customized with engravings as a means to pass the time. If a horn was inherited, it was common for the new owner to add their own name and designs to the original.