Pix are a little big.
This is my take on a horn on page 58 in Randal Pierce's book
Kentucky Rifles Of The Great Smoky Mountains. When I first saw it based on the body I thought Philly screw tip. After looking at it for awhile I came up with this story for it.
From the looks of it the original horn started out as an early Philadelphia screw tip. Some time in its life, more than likely post-Rev war it started its trip down the wagon road South where something caused it to be repaired with a patch of sorts. Let’s say by now 45 year or so have passed and it may be on its 2nd or 3rd rifle, bag and or owner. It makes its way to N. C. where its tip is lost or damaged beyond repair and a handy man shapes a new one form Antler. Its owner moves West and over time notices the horn is starting to wear thin, so has he has seen on other horns of the day he puts a couple of bands made from horn on it to extend its life.
It is right at 17" around the outside curve, tip-to-tip is 14". The butt is Maple held in by the same 4 iron pins that hold the base band. The collar is horn and the tip is antler, threaded 5/8-11, it is 3 1/4" long. The repair is of Rawhide sown with Rawhide strip. The 2 bands are plain and held in place with 3 more pins each. Color is some old dyes mixed together and Brown Shoe Polish.
In the book the horns is shown with a bag (Cloth strap), molds, balls, measures and a cows knee. The set was found with a Baxter Bean rifle also shown in the book.
Tim C.
