My true mentor in this culture told me easily Sixty years ago that all old rifles had a bag and horn that went with them. If you think about it it makes sense, in most cases there was only one gun per family but if there was a rifle or more than one and different calibers, along with a smooth bore it would be awkward to have to take supplies for one out of the bag and replace it with the other as needed. One horn on a separate strap would work for both with the chargers/measures being carried on the bag. His think was that if there was only one gun in the family the horn would be attached to the bag, he had several originals to back up his thinking.
He had been collecting rifles and such from the Shenandoah valley since the late Thirties. He was from Fulks Run, Rockingham Co. Va. In one case I remember him telling me that he went to a Western Auto, I think it was and bought a rifle to trade for the one the family was still using. He had an impressive collection of not only Va. rifles and some relics but bags, horns and anything that went with them. There were coat hangers hanging from the floor joists with locks hanging on them one for flint one for percussion, another with just plates on it, one with butt plates, another with trigger guards, triggers, another with Patch boxes. There was a nail keg in the corner with old barrels in it, he had a setup to rebore or fresh them out. Had a story for each piece, he was my source for the parts for first rifle I built about 61/62. In high school my Chemistry teacher bought gun from me for enough that I could buy new parts for another.
He built a beautiful rifle using old parts and some he made thimbles, side plates. His trade was a finish carpenter, his work was unequaled. In his trade he came across some very nice wood, mostly Walnut so there was a lot of it in the shop also.
Just rambling...
Tim C.
