Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is exactly what the Mississippi gamblers carried on the River Boats after the Civil War for self protection. Featuring FOUR barrels, each in .32 Rim Fire that fired individually by way of a single action hammer with a rotating firing pin. Easy to conceal, these were very popular.
The barrel easily removed by pulling down the button on the left side of the frame and sliding the barrel off forwards for reloading with the hammer in the half cock position. The underside of the barrel is marked with serial number 408 on the dovetail, which is also marked on the grip frame, and on the inside of BOTH wood grip scales. This is an all-matching example of the rare Sharps Model 4A "Bulldog" Pistol, of which less than 2000 were ever made.
The pistol is marked on the side of the lower frame:-
C. SHARPS PATENT
JAN. 25. 1859
Overall metal finish is still quite nice, with a bright steel frame and a lot of the original bluing still present on the barrel. We have only had one of these rare pistols previously, and this example is by far in better condition.
The bird's head grip is very nice, and appears to be walnut, with a great deep red brown color. The advance lever for the rotating firing pin is worn and a bit finicky, so it does not always advance the pin to the next cylinder correctly.
An interesting stepping stone in 19th Century American firearms. Nice matured condition ready to display.
Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: circa 1860
Caliber: .32 Rimfire
Ammunition Type: Rimfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 2.5 inches
Overall Length: 4 3/4 inches
Action: Single
Feed System: 4 Barrel Pepperbox. Rotating Firing Pin.
NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.
- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey
This product is available for international shipping.
IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.
These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers". Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.
Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required
Stored and shipped from our PA location; not available in Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Please check all local laws before ordering.
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