This rifle is photo 11 on page 13 of the included August 1878 issue of "The Gun Report" in the article "David Hall Hilliard: Gunsmith, Cornish, New Hampshire" by Joe Race and indicated as from his collection. A rather similar David H. Hilliard rifle with the same rear sight is also pictured in the article "New Hampshire Gun Makers 1835-1875: The Percussion Era" by Michael Carroll from the American Society of Arms Collectors. Hilliard's grave indicates he died in 1877. He worked in Nicanor Kenall's gunshop in Windsor, Vermont, earlier in his adult life and is believed to have began making guns in his own shop in the late 1830s or early 1840s. The rifle has a globe front sight, primarily scroll engraving on the various components, "D.H. HILLIARD/CORNISH/N.H." and "CAST-STEEL" on the upper left barrel flat, the noted extended peep sight, double set triggers, pewter end cap, nickel-silver accent plates, a checkered wrist, cheek piece, and crescent buttplate.

Good with dark brown patina and some protective coating on the steel along with some light oxidation, light aged patina on the accents, crisp engraving and checkering on the refinished stock, some dings and scratches, and mild overall wear. Mechanically fine.