May 27, 2020 Founders & Patriots
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/27/2020
This powder horn is illustrated and described on pages 160-161 of "For Liberty I Live" by Al Benting. According to the book James Sharely of Chelsea, Massachusetts was enlisted in Captain Samuel Sprague's 9th Company of Colonel Samuel Gerrish's regiment, which on June 10, 1775 listed 456 muskets in the regiment. Sprague's Company was at Bunker Hill under the command of Lt. Col. Loammi Baldwin after Colonel Gerrish was found laying on the ground moaning he was too tired to advance. The regiment lost three men and two were wounded. Sharelay was later at the Battle of Noddle's Island. James Sharely in Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolution. The powder horn measures about 11" overall and has a curved two stage horn body. The upper portion is of darker horn and has a conical spout. The main portion of the horn has a scalloped edge followed by an engraved border. The partially visible inscription reads "HIS HORN Oct ye 3/ JAMES SHARELAY 1776" along with the phrase "I POWDER WITH/ MY BROTHER BALL/ MOST HEAROW LIKE/ DO CONQUER ALL". Another phrase on the horn reads "POWDER GOOD WILL --- I HAV/ It IS NOT FREE TO REVELY MY/ KNA-/ MY INASTEROINLY I SOPPLY/ -E- BEGGING FELLOWS/ -OUBUY". This probably read "Powder and ball not free for every knave My master only I supply let begging fellows go or buy, I powder will with my brother ball will arrow like conquer all". In addition, there is a crudely engraved British crest with what appears to be a woodpecker pecking the lions head. There is also a engraving of a New England church an other indistinct engravings. CONDITION: The main body retains a pleasing dark honey patina and shows significant carry wear, with much of the decoration worn from carry and some intentionally removed. There is some chipping to the flange near the butt. The convex wooden plug is cracked through the center and shows some marks from use. A very interesting and historic identified powder horn with a desirable date.