The Sharps four-barrel pepperbox was manufactured in several models and in the tens of thousands from 1859 to 1874. The cleverly designed pistol fired rimfire cartridges loaded by sliding the four-barrel assembly forward. A firing pin on the hammer rotates each time the hammer is cocked so as to discharge each barrel in turn. Small and pocket-sized, the pistol was easily concealed and natural for self-defense. Some Civil War soldiers carried them into camp and created trouble when drunk or careless, but they are better known as a favorite of travelers, gamblers and denizens of the west. One was supposedly found on Wild Bill Hickok after his death- a handy backup piece at a poker table. It would display well in a grouping of Old West material.

This one shows full coverage of the barrel assembly and hammer in original blue, just thinning in a few areas and a tiny bit of rubbing at the muzzle. There are also significant amounts left on the brass frame of the silver finish, now showing dark from tarnish that could brighten: about thirty percent on the left side; smaller amounts on the sides and top of the breech; just a few flecks on the right frame. “The C. Sharps & Co. / Philada. Pa.” circular stamp on the right frame is correspondingly rubbed on the lower left, but the “C. Sharps / Patent 1859” circular mark on the left is very crisp. The brown gutta-percha grips are excellent. The swirling, floral motifs are distinct and raised, not worn down from handling, and free of chips or cracks. The buttstrap and underside of the frame also show portions of the silver finish. Perhaps fifteen to twenty percent. The serial number on the butt is 1363, but Sharps restarted the numbering after the 60,000.

This is a nice example of the .22 caliber Sharps 1A, in Flayderman’s system.  [sr]

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