This Sharps four-barrel comes housed in a walnut case lined on the interior with green felt. The case is held together by three small roundhead nails in each of the corners and across the bottom edge. The lid is constructed of the same and attached to the box by brass hinges at the rear. The lid is held closed by two brass hooks at the front. Box meas. approx. 8.25 x 5.50 x 1.75 inches. The exterior is in good condition with one small chip approx. 1.00 inch long located along one side.

Interior looks to have been relined with green felt recently so it is in very nice condition. There is a 7.00 inch long compartment running along the top edge. It is empty but for a small screwdriver. The four other compartments hold a stack of patches, an unopened pack of .22 short cartridges that looks to date from the 1960’s and the Sharps four-barrel pepperbox mentioned above.

Weapon is .22 rimfire pepperbox with a cluster of four 2.50 inch barrels. Barrels slide forward for loading by depressing a button on the underside of the forward section of the frame. Barrel bears serial number 55930 which matches the number on the bottom of the grip. Bores are dark but have excellent rifling. The entire weapon is silverplated.

Frame is clean. Left side is well marked “C. SHARPS PATENT 1859.” Right side is marked “C. SHARPS PHILADA PA.” Frame is free of any decoration.

Action works properly and the cam on the face of the hammer moves as it should.

Grips are gutta percha with a raised decorative scroll and floral design and with a straight grip to frame juncture.

Engraved on the left side of the frame below the barrel is “MAJOR HENRY E. SMITH, 1921.”

Henry Eagle Smith was born in New York around 1842. He enlisted as the color-sergeant of the 71^st New York State Militia on April 20, 1861. After two months service in the Department of Northwest Virginia he was mustered out on June 21, 1861 to accept a commission as 1^st lieutenant in the 12^th US Infantry.

Smith served with the 12^th US Infantry throughout the war. He received a brevet promotion to captain for his actions at Gaines’ Mill on June 27, 1862 and another brevet promotion to major for his actions at Gettysburg on July 3, 1863 and received a permanent promotion to captain in the Regular Army on August 31, 1863. After the war Smith was transferred to the 21^st US Infantry in 1866 and served in Arizona and later but was honorably discharged at his own request on December 31, 1870.

After his discharge Smith resided in Philadelphia where he died on November 17, 1921.   [ad] [ph:L]

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