This is my Granddad's box call, looks to be cedar, hand chiseled on the inside. Has a "2" on the lid and on the inside. Overall length of the body is 9 1/4"; the lid is 10 3/4"; @ 2 1/2" tall. He was born in 1903 and lived most of his life in the North Mississippi (Olive Branch), Memphis or East Arkansas (Marianna) areas. Any information appreciated.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v303/chamberlincalls/Granddads-1_zpss1kbo8tj.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v303/chamberlincalls/Grandads-2_zps2pjsqhfo.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v303/chamberlincalls/Granddads-3_zpscgfsybve.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v303/chamberlincalls/Granddads-4_zpslly5krv2.jpg)
Looks like an original Turpin.. :drool:
Its a Gibson, not a Turpin. Look at the angle under the handle.
Hmm....looks like it's influenced by a Gibson body and Turpin lid. Back in the day those were the calls everyone copied. It's what they knew. I am no expert but I would venture to say it's a very good copy from the same era. A very nice old collectable call no doubt. I am interested in what a more knowledgeable collector may think.
That's awesome!!...let us know if you find out anything on it...interesting for sure
Quote from: KentuckyHeadhunter on June 26, 2016, 10:35:59 PM
Hmm....looks like it's influenced by a Gibson body and Turpin lid. Back in the day those were the calls everyone copied. It's what they knew. I am no expert but I would venture to say it's a very good copy from the same era. A very nice old collectable call no doubt. I am interested in what a more knowledgeable collector may think.
I know squat about collectable calls... But this thread got me interested and I looked up both Gibson and Turpin calls... Before reading your post, I came to the same conclusion... The two most popular calls on the market and this call looks like a cross between them.
Whatever call it is, it is a treasure... Toughest decision for me would be weather to harvest a bird with it, or keep it on the mantle... I'd probably take some extra care and put it in the vest a couple times a year (if I thought it sounded good)... Something nostalgic about harvesting game with some of the older "goodies" out there, especially when it belongs to and was used by a close relative.
Back in those days money was tight. Folks knew how to work with their hands, so they built their own houses, barns...and turkey calls!! A neighbor or even your grandpa might have made it. It is the same way today. There are many people making calls that most have never heard of.