The Museum of Appalachia:

My focus at the Museum of Appalachia was mainly on metal, and the guns of the museum really stood out to me with their intriguing background stories.  I found there were many other uses of metal in Appalachia similar to today.  The purpose I focused on was the metalwork on the guns used during the time period.  

the collection of guns- note the decorative metal work

a pistol created by renowned Tennessee Gunsmith, Hacker Martin.

Hacker Martin was a well-known gunsmith in the Appalachains.  Martin (1895-1970) was very talented in multiple aspects. Some of his many specialties include fiddling, owning and opperating a grist mill, and being an expert gunsmith.  

During the times of the Revolutionary War when these guns were made and used, owning a gun was similar to owning a car in present day.  Your gun was almost a representation of your wealth status or your social status in general.  There was a story told at the museum about David Crocket selling his gun for a woman he was in love with.  Guns were also of great use in the Appalchains at this time for protection and a source of food.  I found the gun exhibit both interesting and beautiful.