Rare, One-of-a-Kind Conrad Horn Dueling Percussion Pistols

Description

3/4/26 - This is a pair of rare, one-of-a-kind dueling percussion pistols made by gun maker Conrad Horn in the 19th century. Conrad Horn was a 19th-century American gunsmith who worked in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, and was active roughly from the 1820s through the 1850s. He produced traditional Pennsylvania or “Kentucky-style” sporting rifles for local hunters and settlers, typically featuring full stocks, octagonal barrels, brass furniture, and sometimes double set triggers. His rifles were originally made as flintlocks and later as percussion guns as technology changed during the period. Known examples are usually signed “C. Horn”, "Horn", or occasionally “C.H.” on the barrel. Horn is considered a scarce regional maker today because his small shop likely produced relatively few firearms, and only a handful of signed examples are known to survive, making them desirable to collectors of early American rifles. Horn was also involved in a local controversy during his lifetime that became widely discussed in the Hazleton area. He was reportedly connected to a legal dispute involving a shooting incident, which led to a court case and considerable local attention. Although the details are somewhat unclear in surviving records, the incident added to his notoriety in the region and has occasionally been mentioned in historical references about the gunsmith. Included with these guns is a copy of the Kentucky Rifle Association publication. It discusses Conrad Horn in detail and features these exact two pistols with photos (see photos). From the article: "Also shown are two percussion pistols, marked '1' and '2' with 'HORN' stamped into each barrel. We know of no other Horn pistols and would like to see them if they exist. The matched pair shows wear from use as one would expect. The pistols were made as percussions. The 5 1/2" barrels are .40 Caliber, smoothbore. They are simple with neatly checkered grips and iron mountings. They are solid and in shooting condition after some 140 years. Both the pistols and the rifle are a testament to the solid work of Conrad Horn." Overall, they are in fair condition, but the metal parts largely show spotty patina/oxidation and pitting. No major damage to the wood. The condition of both bores is poor with rust throughout. No FFL required.