Though extinct by 1880, Eastern Elk inhabited what is now Western Virginia and West Virginia, so that is perhaps a larger type of antler they could have used in the time period.. Not sure if there is enough difference in Western Elk racks, though they run larger to much larger, but that might be an alternative?
I don't know if Virginia Deer run smaller today, but one 10 point I got had tines that were not that big and the bases were not that large - so using them for this purpose was almost out of the question. A six point I got two years later has much thicker bases and tines and could be used for such things.
Gus