Revolutionary War Soldier’s small Snuff or Salt Horn (SOLD,M)

This is another piece being offered, it is an18th century / early 19th century personal item, often referred to as salt or snuff horns. It has a small bone screw top container measuring approximately 3 ¼ inches long with a 1 inch diameter. I had another one of these items and it was marked on the cap with “Snuff”.

These little traveling containers of natural cow horn would have served well with a soldier to carry the usual personal bit of salt or other food seasoning, snuff, herbs, or other medical preparations. Practical use would have been limited only by imagination.

This scarce original example shows good evidence of age. It has a pleasing originality with period use, yet remaining in nice condition with its original turned bone screw cap. A couple of tiny flea bites near the rim but covered with the cap on. This one displays a most attractive age patina. There are examples of this piece in “Collector’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution” (see pictures).