Eric you are right - it is one layer of horn. The horn was boiled, the top cut off and the side split and then pressed flat. The it was split into layers of the required thickness, then hot-pressed.

It wasn't made like fibreglass or micarta - lots of layers laminated together.

So delamination is the breakdown of the natural layering in the horn, not the separation of many layers laminated together.

Magpie - possibly, yes. But the heat would have to be more intense than that used in making the scales. With increasing heat (wet heat) the horn breaks down so much it forms one plastic mass - but it then flows everywhere, and if in water it mixes with the water and becomes useless. Somehow you have to arrange to 'superheat' the horn - plain boiling water is not hot enough. Steam under pressure would be a better medium.

Regards,
Neil