New Hampshire Percussion Buggy Rifle by Hilliard

New Hampshire Percussion Buggy Rifle by Hilliard. Serial #1716, About .36 cal, 20 3/4" octagon barrel with a heavily oxidized bore. The barrel is an overall dark brown patina with pewter undertones and shows overall light pitting, the left side is marked "DH Hilliard/Cornish/NH" and was turned for a starter which is no longer present. There is a simple later Lyman front bead in place, the bead is gone and a sporting rear of simple sheet-metal. The underside of the barrel shows three iron ramrod thimbles and both hammer and trigger are a deep plum brown color. The gun appears to have been nicely restocked at some point in a nice piece of cherry. The long iron tang shows nice restored plum while the brass trigger guard with grip arch, butt and toe plates are a dull goldenrod patina. The pendulum shaped German silver patch box is rather nice and the left side of the stock shows an inlaid German silver hare on the semi-rounded cheekpiece. Currently, the hammer will not hold "on cock" but this could easily be rectified by a qualified gunsmith. A contemporary ramrod is included. Really a rather nice little buggy rifle from this respected New Hampshire maker, with a lovely stocking job by someone. Provenance - Part of the Robert L White Arms Collection.