It was a horn by Scott and Cathy Sibley.

I thought little more about it until the end of June, my birthday is the 30th, when I was presented with a gift certificate for a custom powder horn from the Sibley's. Robin, my girlfriend, had contacted them and put a sum of money on deposit for my horn. I was overwhelmed. Along with the gift certificate were photographs of other Sibley pieces and color prints of half dozen or so horns Scott has made and instructions to call the Sibley's and work together with them to design my horn. I wasted no time and called the next day.

According to Paul R. Jones, the article's author, the Sibley's are "probably the best- known horn makers in America." Scott, who makes the horns (Cathy does excellent quillwork on her straps, pouches, and other acoutrements), specializes in extreamly accurate reproductions of original pieces. Drawing heavily from the sketches of Rufus Grider, books, museum and sale catalogs, Scott will even try to match the size and curve of the original piece to duplicate it as closely as possible. He also applys his quite considerable skills to creating one-of-a-kind horns to suit his purchasers special needs. Such was my case.

Over the course of several phone conversations with Scott we designed a horn to fit my character and myself. I explained that I portray a man in his early fifties, a vereran of the French and Indian War, who has joined the militia to fight for independance. The horn should exhibit styling appropriate to the middle eighteenth century and be engraved in a "folk art" style indicating that the owner could have done the work while in camp, thinking about his lady at home. I had only two stipulations. One, that "Jon Brian Waugh his horn" be engraved on the side that would show when hung from a strap or hunting pouch. And two, that "Robin Dee his lady" be engraved in the side closest to the wearer's body. I left everything else up to Scott.

When it arrived I was awestruck by its beauty. Here was a true piece of American folk art that could have been made in 1750 and yet had somehow spun through time to rest in my hands in the closing months of the twentieth century. The engraving is superb. The line work is assured and bold while remaining delicate. I kept turning it over in my hands and finding new surprises; two men confront each other with blades drawn at one end, a small rabbit crouches in the center, while a moose raises its head next to the wonderfully engrailed transition from the cream-colored body to the jet black neck. A soft-as-felt brain-tanned deerskin strap was tied in between the raised rings on the neck and the iron staple in the walnut butt plug.

But the best part was when I showed it to my partners. They were immediately envious, declaring as one that it was the finest horn any of them had ever seen in person. And isn't that what we all want?

	Here is a close-up of my name engraved onto the front of the horn with the customary "his horne" added.
	Shown here is the reverse of the horn with my tribute to the one who made this horn one of the finest birthday gifts I have ever received.

Here are some details shots of my fine Sibley horn.

The last picture is of Scott's cartouche, or "signature" mark, and "00" for the year.