This southern colonial style rifle is signed "C. W. Hart" on top of the barrel and has "CWH" stamped on the side plate. It has a fair amount of similarities with the House Brothers' handmade "An American Tradition" rifle and has a "Woodbury School" style overall with antiqued iron furniture and a screw affixed sheet tin repair on the wrist that gives the rifle a very genuine antique look and feel. The "captured" domed patch box lid has a silver inlay inscribed "I/WAS/FREE BORN" (referencing Acts 22:28 also inscribed on Rifle No. 114 in "Rifles of Colonial America Volume II" by Shumway). The inscription is upside down when looking at the rifle from the right. It has traditional blade and notch sights, early style adjustable double set triggers, and floral blooms engraved at the front of the patch box plate and nice borders engraved around the outside of the plate. The curly maple stock has a dark finish rubbed back so the flame figure can show through, nice molding along the forend terminating in a squiggly line at the ramrod entry pipe, raised carving around the barrel tang, incised scroll and squiggly line carving at the rear of the wrist, a very finely shaped comb, three incised lines along the edge of the cheek piece, staples below the cheek piece for a vent pick, and beautiful relief carving on the left side of the butt. It is fitted with a woven sling with leather end straps and includes a scraper attachment for the ramrod.

Very fine overall as custom made with beautiful antiqued finish throughout with mild texture, aged patina on the silver, attractive but subtle engraving, very fine carving, and mild wear from use and/or antiquing. Mechanically excellent.