This is a very nice example of Jacob Harder’s work: an over-and-under fixed combination using octagon 33 ½ inch long .28 Cal. smoothbore and .40 Cal. rifled barrels. The top flat is stamped, “J. HARDER & SON / LOCK HAVEN PA.” The lower barrel is marked “319” on the lower flat near the breech. German silver front sight and the rear sight are in place. The barrels are a uniform blue-turning-plum with some light rubbing to the edges. The metal is smooth overall, but with fine pitting around and forward of the nipples on each side from percussion caps a few light dings near the address and on the underside at the breech and breechplate. The rammer and cleaning rod are each held on the side by two short and one long thimble, which match the barrel in color.

The back action double-trigger lock is not signed, but is floral scroll engraved on the lock plates and hammers, with the engraving extending down the breechplug tang. The lockplates show a pleasing mix of blue and caramel brown. The right hammer shows some gray and brown. The left shows more blue and brown and shows were Harder spliced it to lengthen it and fitted and extension to reach the nipple at the right angle. The double set triggers are set in a brass triggerguard with handrail. The buttstock has a brass crescent shaped buttplate with toe plate and small round brass patchbox on the right and quite attractive German silver buck standing on a bank inlet on the cheekrest on the left. The wood is a pleasing warm brown and shows a few small dings and handling marks from use with a small chip on the lower edge of the lockplate on either side.

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.  [sr] [ph:L]

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!