Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is a very nice example of Jacob Harder’s work: an over-and-under fixed combination using octagonal 27 ½ inch long .70 Cal. (Roughly 14 Gauge) smoothbore and .41 Cal. rifled barrels. It is not fitted with a wooden fore stock, only a walnut butt stock with a carved-in cheek piece. The butt plate is heavily hooked, made out of brass and also carries inlays on either side of the butt stock. Deer with antlers on the left side atop a cheek piece and a circular Cap Box on the right side, which we have not been able to open.

Each lock, which carries decorative engraving, is back action. The elaborate trigger guard made of brass encloses Set triggers, which service both barrels. The set trigger mechanism works fairly well at present, though it is a bit TOO sensitive, as once set it often fires without any pull of the forward post trigger. The hammers cannot be fired at all until the rear trigger is set, so there is no half-cock position as a result. Barrel choice was accomplished by leaving one or the other un-cocked. Both can be fired simultaneously if desired. The top barrel is the rifle, while the bottom barrel is the shotgun. The barrels, tang, and action are all very intricately engraved, giving the rifle a truly unique look.

There are TWO wood ramrods, one on each side. They are both very tight and we have not been able to remove either. The housing for the ramrods show some denting which may be why they can’t be removed. The right rod has a brass end-cap. The top barrel is very clearly marked:-

J. HARDER
LOCK HAVEN PA

Jacob Harder was born in New York in 1820 and Gardner has him apprenticing with the Bartlett Brothers in Binghamton, NY, until 1838. He then moved to northern Pennsylvania, establishing his own business in Athens, PA, “prior to 1840.” He married in Athens in 1851, moved to Waverly about 1858, and settled in Lock Haven, PA, about 1860, remaining there “until 1885 or later.” He patented a breechloader in 1885, produced double barrel pistols as well as rifles, and three-barrel rifles as well. One source says he had as many as eight men working in his shop at one point. Another reports Harder marked sporting barrels are found mounted on surplus military Spencers. Harder purportedly died in Paterson, NJ, in 1898.

The stock is in good shape overall without any serious damage. The bore of the rifled barrel is in very good shape, with lands & grooves still visible. The metalwork has a lovely patina overall. There was likely at one point a long range sight between the two hammers, as there is a small hole in its place.

This is a gorgeous example of an over & under combination rifle/shotgun with gorgeous and intricate engraving across the metalwork.

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1846-1860
Caliber (Rifled Barrel): approx .41 with 8 groove rifling
Caliber (Fowler Barrel): approx .695 (14 Bore / Gauge)
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 28 Inches
Overall Length: 44 1/2 Inches
Action type: Back Action Percussion Locks
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

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, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. 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. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.