Here is an original breech-loading, four-shot pepperbox pistol in excellent condition that is sometimes referred as a “Sharps derringer”.   Properly known as a pepperbox pistol, this example was manufactured by the American firearm maker C. Sharps & Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The firm produced over 60,000 of these specimens known as the Model 1A between 1859 through 1874.  This example bears serial # 32224 and features a 2½” long barrel mounted on a brass frame and fitted for a .22 caliber rimfire cartridge.  Specimen has the fluted standing breech and a straight grip to frame juncture.  Via a release button on the underside of frame, the steel, four-barrel cluster slides forward for loading and has a rotating firing pin in the hammer.   Mechanics of the pistol are excellent.    Frame screw is very lightly buggered.  Right side of the frame around the hammer screw exhibits the circular stamping that read “C. SHARPS & CO. / PHILADA, PA.” Left side reads “C. SHARPS  / PATENT 1859”.   Barrel exhibits no original bluing and spots of dark oxidation.   Grips are ornate gutta-percha in excellent condition.   A fine, original Sharps deringer.

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