Rick Rosenberger, organizer of the Made Here antique gun show Saturday at the Harmony Museum, shows an example of a longrifle, which was considered a staple when Western Pennsylvania was part of the frontier. Rosenberg is the author of “The Longrifle of Western Pennsylvania: Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties.”

HARMONY — In the 18th and 19th centuries, Western Pennsylvania and Butler County were home to many skilled rifle makers.

Carving and etching guns were as much art as firearm, and many of the pieces are now collectors items.

Those guns, as well as their accouterments, will be on display Saturday at the Harmony Museum at the Made Here antique gun show. The show, which was first held in 2005, will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission is $5, with all proceeds going to Historic Harmony.

Guided tours of the museum will also be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for an additional fee.

Rick Rosenberger, who is organizing the event, said the show's emphasis is on guns from Western Pennsylvania.

Rosenberger, the author of "The Longrifles of Western Pennsylvania: Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties," said all of the guns at the show were made before 1898, with some dating back to the Revolutionary War.

The firearms, some of which date as far back as the Civil War, including muzzleloading and cartridge firing guns.

But what sets the Western Pennsylvania guns apart from others is the handiwork on each one.

Because each gun was handmade, Rosenberger said each is unique, with carvings and engravings setting gun makers apart.

The markings also help distinguish when the gun was made and what it was used for, he said.

Rosenberger said the guns made in Western Pennsylvania — often referred to as Kentucky rifles — were originally developed in the eastern part of the state by German immigrant gunsmiths.

Over the years, the designs were combined with gunmaking styles from Virginia to create the popular gun, which was often used for target shooting, he said.

The guns stand out from others because of their ornate decoration, including silversmithing and carving.

Rosenberger said the work of local gun makers like John Fleeger, who lived in Center Township, and Charles Flower of Harmony — who both created spectacular etchings on their guns — made the guns a popular form of entertainment during that era.

These guns are fairly rare, he said, and are usually found only at shows like the one at the Harmony Museum, where collectors meet.

"It's networking that turns these things up," he said.

Rosenberger said 25 people have registered for 30 tables to display firearms at the show.

For more information on the show, call the Harmony Museum at 724-452-7341.