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 example is a .30 caliber, Model 2A. Barrel assembly is smooth with retaining an even plum color. There are significant amounts of silver plating left on the brass frame. Perhaps 50% overall, with the majority on the left side while the nearly the entire right side is worn to the brass frame. The “C. Sharps & Co. / Philada. Pa.” circular stamp on the right frame is worn on the upper left, but the “C. Sharps / Patent 1859” circular mark on the left is very crisp.

Mechanically very fine with crisp action and proper rotation of the firing pin. Barrel assembly opens and closes well.

The dark brown gutta-percha grips are good. The cross-hatching pattern is distinct and raised, not worn down from handling, and free of chips or cracks. The right side grip is slightly loose. The serial number found on the butt and barrel are 19445.

This is a nice example of the .30 caliber Sharps 2A, in Flayderman’s system. [jet]   [ph:L]

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