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 Short Rimfire that fire individually by way of a single action hammer with a rotating firing pin. Easy to conceal due to the size and small "spur" style trigger, 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, which also allows removal of the spent cartridges. Unlike most we have seen, there is no automatic ejection system on this pistol. The hammer must be in the half-cock position for the barrels to unlock and slide forward.

The underside of the barrel is marked with serial number 10661 on the dovetail, which is also marked on the bottom of the grip. This is a all-matching example of the rare Sharps & Hankins Model 3C Pistol, a predecessor to the later Sharps 4A "Bulldog".

The top of the barrel assembly has the correct Sharps & Hankins address, which is somewhat faint due to wear and oxidation:

The pistol is also marked on the side of the lower frame:-

Overall metal finish is still quite nice, with a lovely worn patina of age from years of use. The frame now has an overall oxidized dark patina, with just a bit of light pitting on the left side of the breech. The barrel has had the original blued finish worn through on the sides, and shows a dark patina in the fluting on the top and sides. The flat bottom grip is very nice, with two lovely walnut grip scales that look great.

The pistol opens and closes for reloading correctly, and the action still works, with a good dry fire. The rotating firing pin is a bit worn, so sometimes it does not advance to the next position while cocking. The bores of the barrels still show the original rifling, but also fouling and oxidation from use.

An interesting stepping stone in 19th Century American firearms. Nice matured condition and ready to display!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: circa 1864
Caliber:  .32 Short Rimfire
Ammunition Type: Rimfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 3 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 6 1/4 inches
Action: Single
Feed System: 4 Barrel Pepperbox. Rotating Internal Firing Pin.

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.

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.