Original Item: Only One Available. This is a unique and valuable piece of maritime history. It resembles a small bottle-shaped powder horn, a common item in that era. However, it was used as a flask, most likely to hold the daily rum ration.

During the early years of the United States Navy, the daily ration of distilled spirits was a half US pint, which equates to approximately 240 milliliters. This ration was served to sailors until 1842, when it was reduced to one gill, or 120 milliliters. Eventually, the ration was abolished in 1862, marking the end of an era for the US Navy.

In the colonial era and throughout the 19th century, soldiers, sailors, and frontiersmen used a unique drinking vessel called a Rum Horn. These vessels were fashioned from natural cow or buffalo horns, carefully selected for their size and shape. To make them more suitable for their intended use, the horns were often softened and flattened using heat and pressure. Once the desired shape was achieved, the inside of the horn was lined with beeswax to make it more waterproof.

After applying the beeswax, the horn was fitted with two ends and a stopper, transforming it into a functional canteen or flask. When filled with a drink like rum, the horn was an excellent way to transport the beverage on long journeys through the wilderness and open ocean. In addition to their practical use, Rum Horns were also often decorated with intricate designs or words, which were carved or etched into the surface of the horn. These designs were a way for individuals to personalize their vessel and make it their own. Today, examples of these decorative Rum Horns can still be found in museums and private collections, providing a fascinating glimpse into the lives of those who used them.

This horn stands around 3 inches high and has a base of 2.5 inches. The flask still has its stopper, which seems to be original. The front of the horn has an intricately carved image known as scrimshaw scrollwork. Scrimshaw is a form of art in which marine mammal ivory is engraved or carved, mainly by 19th-century whalers while they were at sea. These objects can include decorative engravings and sculptures, as well as tools used by sailors.

The image on the horn is of a Full Rigged Ship, which is a type of sailing vessel with a sail plan featuring three or more square-rigged masts. Each mast is made up of three segments: lower, top, and topgallant.

It's worth noting that while some large, multi-masted sailing vessels may be considered "ships," they may lack one of the elements of a full-rigged ship, such as a mast that supports only a fore-and-aft sail or a mast consisting of only two segments.

This is truly a wonderful piece of early American Maritime history! Comes more than ready for further research and display.