“Kentucky Fun”

[Banjoman]

I’ve been a studying 19th century “southern mountain”, “Kentucky”, “Tennessee” or whatever you want to call them rifles and there’s some common features of these here guns I wanted to give mine.

I noticed quite a few of them had long ramrods which I reckon made it easier to pull them out. I didn’t like the factory rods that came with my Traditions and Jukar guns so I made own that look like ones I saw in old pictures. They fit the pipes better too.


I also noticed the horns and shootin’ bags were small and plain. And they didn’t have a bunch of dingly dangly gadgets and gizmos hangin’ off the straps neither. A powder measure would be about it, but not always. So I’ve lightened my load considerable since I started this hobby.

I’d already added the grease holes a while back. They work just fine.

Here’s some pictures for folks that’s interested. Yeah, it’s raining here today. Not much else to do.

 

[longcruise]

The buff horn maybe out of place.

 

[Banjoman]

The buff horn maybe out of place.

Funny you should say that cause I was a pondering that same thing. There were buffalo in these parts in the 18th century, so I wondered if one of old Daniel’s hunting partners had kilt a buffalo up in Kaintuck and made a horn, could that horn have survived up into the early to mid 19th century?

Here’s where I hope someone proves me wrong so I’ll have an excuse to make a new horn.

 

[Banjoman]

Okay, I think this horn may fit better than the buffler horn.

And yeah, it’s still raining

 

[Hermit Tim]

I’ve been a studying 19th century “southern mountain”, “Kentucky”, “Tennessee” or whatever you want to call them rifles and there’s some common features of these here guns I wanted to give mine.

I noticed quite a few of them had long ramrods which I reckon made it easier to pull them out. I didn’t like the factory rods that came with my Traditions and Jukar guns so I made own that look like ones I saw in old pictures. They fit the pipes better too.


I also noticed the horns and shootin’ bags were small and plain. And they didn’t have a bunch of dingly dangly gadgets and gizmos hangin’ off the straps neither. A powder measure would be about it, but not always. So I’ve lightened my load considerable since I started this hobby.

I’d already added the grease holes a while back. They work just fine.

Here’s some pictures for folks that’s interested. Yeah, it’s raining here today. Not much else to do.


View attachment 391702View attachment 391703View attachment 391704

Looking good. Nice job in the ram rods.

 

[Taevers]

I’ve been a studying 19th century “southern mountain”, “Kentucky”, “Tennessee” or whatever you want to call them rifles and there’s some common features of these here guns I wanted to give mine.

I noticed quite a few of them had long ramrods which I reckon made it easier to pull them out. I didn’t like the factory rods that came with my Traditions and Jukar guns so I made own that look like ones I saw in old pictures. They fit the pipes better too.


I also noticed the horns and shootin’ bags were small and plain. And they didn’t have a bunch of dingly dangly gadgets and gizmos hangin’ off the straps neither. A powder measure would be about it, but not always. So I’ve lightened my load considerable since I started this hobby.

I’d already added the grease holes a while back. They work just fine.

Here’s some pictures for folks that’s interested. Yeah, it’s raining here today. Not much else to do.


View attachment 391702View attachment 391703View attachment 391704

Now get some stripes on those rods, man. It’s like sending your kids to school without shoes leaving those things plain. And don’t even think about the buff horn being wrong. They’re always the coolest kid on the block. Only peasants carried cow horns.

 

[Banjoman]

Now get some stripes on those rods, man. It’s like sending your kids to school without shoes leaving those things plain. And don’t even think about the buff horn being wrong. They’re always the coolest kid on the block. Only peasants carried cow horns.

I ain’t totally agin striped rods, but I think I’ll let these just darken with use.

 

[French Colonial]

The buff horn maybe out of place.

Why would that be?

 

[longcruise]

While buffalo horns might have existent in the time and place it would probably be unlikely. Anything is possible but "maybe out of place". I don't ride with the HC/PC Rangers so it's just a thought.

 

[French Colonial]

There were many buffalo east of the Mississippi river in the 1700's and many of the adventurers talk about them, followed their trails through the forests and visited their salt licks.
I find the idea that the same people who would use a cow horn for a powder horn would not use a buffalo/bison horn for the same, especially Native Americans and those who harvested the animals.

So not only is it likely but I can dig out some documentation if you want.

 

[Wncman]

There were many buffalo east of the Mississippi river in the 1700's and many of the adventurers talk about them, followed their trails through the forests and visited their salt licks.
I find the idea that the same people who would use a cow horn for a powder horn would not use a buffalo/bison horn for the same, especially Native Americans and those who harvested the animals.

So not only is it likely but I can dig out some documentation if you want.

I agree with you. I would like to see some documentation if you could point me in the direction. Just like to study these things

 

[French Colonial]

Here is one

November 6,1751, Lieutenant Jean-Bernard Bossu in route to Fort de Chartres described the typical Indian hunters attire.

"Their arms consist of a rifle, a buffalo horn for powder strung across their shoulder, and a small skin sack in which to keep bullets, Fints, and a wad extractor"............Note this is typical attire which means the buffalo horn was typical.

For additional information along with accounts of the huge buffalo herds east of the Mississippi I recommend Ted Franklin Belue's excellent book "The Long Hunt"

All of his books are well researched and I highly recommended them.

 

[Banjoman]

The only reason I questioned my use of the buffler horn was because I just don’t remember seeing any original buffler horns from the early to mid 19th century. Maybe I just ain’t looked hard enough yet. I don’t think it’s too far fetched. There were buffler in this area in the 18th century.

I don’t really have a persona as some here do, but if I did it would be to copy one of my ancestors who came into this area from North Carolina in the early 19th century.

 

[kyron4]

The last buffalo in Indiana was documented in 1830 ,in 1808 for Illinois and Ohio , and 1800 in Kentuckey. So seems very possible there were horn around that were put to use.

 

[Taevers]

The only reason I questioned my use of the buffler horn was because I just don’t remember seeing any original buffler horns from the early to mid 19th century. Maybe I just ain’t looked hard enough yet. I don’t think it’s too far fetched. There were buffler in this area in the 18th century.

I don’t really have a persona as some here do, but if I did it would be to copy one of my ancestors who came into this area from North Carolina in the early 19th century.

 

[Taevers]

View attachment 391961

Allen Eckert. Sorry I screwed up the copy of the book. I’m just learning how to use the forum. Think you’d enjoy it.

 

[Taevers]

Allen Eckert. Sorry I screwed up the copy of the book. I’m just learning how to use the forum. Think you’d enjoy it.

Frontiersman

 

[longcruise]

There were many buffalo east of the Mississippi river in the 1700's

I'm aware of that but in my mind they were not common into the 19th century. @kyron4 mentions last known in certain places but when were they last common?

The last known buffalo in South Park Colorado was killed in 1883. But like other last known events it was big local news.

In any case, his buffalo horns can fit so.....

 

[longcruise]

I double checked my dates. It's been a long time since I'd read it. Last known in South Park was 1897 and were also the last known in Colorado.

 

[tallPercshooter]

One downside of having a long ramrod sticking out is - it catches on brush when you are hunting.