Original Item: One of a Kind. This is a most interesting small Single Shot Percussion Derringer constructed from Brass. The single piece grip frame and barrel bears serial number of # 25 on the bottom of the grip. The pistol is in approximately .32 Caliber, with iron hammer, trigger and presumably the internal parts. Nice deeply engraved decoration on back strap and on each side of the barrel. The design indicates production circa 1860-1863.

The pistol is marked along the top directly in front of the hammer in a leaf-shaped engraved frame.:

WILLIAM JOSEPH HARDEE was born in 1815 in Georgia and entered the U.S. Army in 1838. He took part in the Seminole Wars and the Mexican/American War. In 1858 as a LT. COLONEL in the U.S. ARMY he was credited with the introduction of the "HARDEE HAT" adopted that year, being a flat topped slouch hat with one side turned up.

In 1861 with the War between the States, Hardee joined the Confederacy as a Colonel later becoming a Lieutenant General in command of the 1st. CORP of the Army of Tennessee. He fought in many Campaigns including the Battle of Atlanta. In April of 1865 he surrendered to General William Tecumseh Sherman, the famous Union General. After the war he returned to private life and died in 1873.

An amazing U.S. Civil War period personal self defense percussion pistol, named to a known Officer of the Confederacy. In lovely condition and ready to display!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: circa 1860-1863
Caliber: .32 inches
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder with Percussion Cap
Barrel Length: 2 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 5 1/2 inches
Action: Top Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services.