Sharps Four-Barrel Derringer

C. Sharps & Co. · Pistol · Discontinued · 1859

Also known as: Sharps Pepperbox, Sharps Model 1A, Sharps Four-Barrel Pistol

Overview

The Sharps Four-Barrel Derringer, commonly called the Sharps Pepperbox, is a compact four-shot pocket pistol designed by Christian Sharps and produced from 1859. Rather than rotating its barrels, it uses four stationary barrels in a cluster that slides forward for loading, with a single firing pin on a ratchet that rotates a quarter-turn on each cock to fire each chamber in turn. The most common Model 1A is a .22 rimfire with a brass frame, while later models were offered in .30 and .32 rimfire.

Specifications

Overall Length	127 mm (5.00")
Barrel Length	64 mm (2.52")
Action Type	Breech Loading
Firing Mechanism	Single Action
Trigger Type	Sheathed Trigger
Muzzle Velocity	320 m/s (1050 fps)
Muzzle Energy	96 J (71 ft·lbf)
Effective Range	5 m (5 yd)
Barrel Rifling	Right Hand
Frame Material	Brass
Barrel Material	Steel
Stock Material	Walnut
Finish	Silver Plated

Calibers

.22 Short Rimfire · primary — also known as .22 Short, .22 BB Cap
.32 Short Rimfire — also known as .32 Short, .32 RF Short

Features

Firing modes: Manual
Feed systems: Manual Single Loading
Features: Four Stationary Barrels, Sliding Barrel Cluster, Rotating Firing Pin, Pocket Pistol

Production

Estimated total produced: 100,000 · Production years: 1859-1874

Roughly 85,000 Model 1/1A and around 100,000 across all four-barrel models.

Origin

Country of origin: United States

Designer: Christian Sharps

Discontinued: 1874

Notes

Models 1/1A used a brass frame (often silver-plated) in .22 rimfire; the Model 3 used an iron frame in .32 rimfire under Sharps & Hankins. Production ceased on Christian Sharps' death in 1874.

Background

Christian Sharps is far better known for the big single-shot Sharps rifles of the Old West, but his little four-barrel rimfire derringer was a commercial success and was widely copied.