Both of the distinctive Bedford locks are signed "T * O" in fancy script and have light engraving. The letters and the overall style of the rifle are similar to the "T * Oldham" signed rifle sold by Rock Island Auction Company in December 2021 as well as other rifles signed by Thomas Oldham (1809-1891) of Bedford County, Pennsylvania. Two Oldham double rifles are featured on page 129 of "Gunsmiths of Bedford, Fulton, Huntingdon, & Somerset Counties" by Whisker and Yantz, but Bedford County double rifles and combination guns are very rare. Oldham was active in Bedford around the 1830s-1850s and was listed in the 1850 Census as a gunsmith. He and his family moved to Iowa in the mid-1850s and he became a farmer. He died in Mallory Township, Clayton County, Iowa, in 1891. The rifle is a classic Bedford rifle in style but is a side by side with the right barrel .45 caliber and smoothbore and the left barrel approximately .32 caliber and rifled. Each barrel has a set of traditional blade and notch sights, and the forend is fitted with two sets of ramrod pipes to carry the two hickory ramrods. The rifle is equipped with double set triggers, a curly maple stock with cheekpiece, and fairly plain brass furniture, including a classic Bedford patchbox.

Very good with dark brown on the barrel and locks, some mild flash erosion and pitting at the breech, crack in the left hammer neck, attractive aged patina on the brass furniture, and mild overall wear. The refinished stock has some small cracks and chips, faint repairs, and general mild overall wear. Mechanically fine.