Conrad Horn (1803-1879) worked as a gunsmith until his death and was particularly known for his double rifles. He was also a justice, miner, early settler of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, and the founder of West Hazleton. He was suspected of supplying draft resisting miners during the Civil War because he was a known Democrat and many of the men were armed with rifles he built. It makes sense they had his rifles given he was a prominent local gunsmith. This rifle matches multiple aspects of other known rifles. The style of stock architecture, accents, and the "C H" signature on top of one of the barrels are all emblematic of his work, and the double tear drops on the wrist match a "C HORN" marked rifle we auctioned off in December 2015. This example retains much of the style of traditional "Golden Age" American long rifles and likely dates to around the 1840s. It has low profile blade and notch sights on the barrels, ramrods fitted on each side in three pipes (counting the entry pipes), an "H. ELWELL/WARRANTED" back action lock with scroll and bird scene engraving, double set triggers, scroll engraved brass side plate, seven German silver accents including an engraved crescent moon on the cheekpiece, ornate brass plate beneath the cheek plate with piercings that mirror the four tear drops on the wrist, engraved patch box with pieced side plates and finial, a folk art face on the finial, full length toe and comb plates, and a highly figured curly maple buttstock with Roman nose profile. Pulling backwards on the trigger guard with the hammer at half-cock allows the barrels to rotate.

Very good plus. The brass is generally fairly bright and displays attractive "honey" tones. The other metal displays brown and gray patina and some minor pitting. There are several marks and dings throughout and general minor scratches. The engraving patterns on the brass are fairly distinct, but the lock engraving is partially faded. The stock is fine and displays mostly smooth surfaces, occasional dings and scratches, very slight nicks visible at the toe, and beautiful flame figure. The lock and swivel mechanism are both mechanically fine.