Tavern horn

Pewter tavern horn - this comes from a mixed tradition of imagery. First, it echoes the typical "hunting horn" of European fox hunting fame. Second, it continues a long European penchant for "drinking horns". This one has a Lyman crown hallmark on the bottom. I doubt it's that old, although I remember by dad drinking beer out of it when I was a tyke. He used to put it in the freezer so his Lowenbrau would have a nice frosty mug. If I recall correctly, my first sip of beer was out of this mug when I was probably 4 or 5. I recall liking beer, although I recall it having a strange metallic taste. Now that I'm older and wiser, I recognize that the metallic taste probably came either from this mug or from the Lowenbrau itself.

A cool old horn

No - not the "toot toot" kind.

At first, one might think this little decorated bull's horn is a powder horn for black powder, but it only opens at the big end, making the process of precisely doling out powder difficult. Plus, it's pretty small. The big end seals with a large cork with leather tassels.

My guess, based on size and functionality, would be this was a drinking cup, most likely from the American western expansion period (c. 1820 - 1890). It was probably used as a handy and portable vessel for bourbon or whiskey.

In that sense, then, perhaps it is the "toot toot" kind!