Sharps Model 1859 Four-Barrel Pepperbox
C. Sharps & Company · Pistol · Discontinued · 1859
Also known as: Sharps Model 1, Sharps Pepperbox, Sharps Four-Barrel Derringer, C. Sharps Patent 1859
Overview
The Sharps Model 1859 pepperbox is a four-barrel breech-loading rimfire pocket pistol designed by Christian Sharps. Its cluster of four fixed barrels slides forward on the frame for loading, and a single firing pin set in the hammer rotates one quarter-turn each time the hammer is cocked to fire each barrel in turn. Offered in .22, .30 and .32 rimfire, the palm-sized gun was made by the thousands between 1859 and 1874 as a concealable hold-out weapon.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 227 g (8.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 124 mm (4.88") |
| Barrel Length | 64 mm (2.52") |
| Action Type | Break Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Single Action |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 4 rounds |
| 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 | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
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: Repeating
- Feed systems: Manual Loading
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Four Fixed Barrels, Sliding Barrel Block, Rotating Firing Pin, Spur Trigger, Breech Loading
Variants
- Sharps Model 1A (gutta-percha grips) — Trim
- Sharps Model 1C (walnut grips) — Trim
- Sharps Model 1D (iron frame) — Material
Service history
Conflicts
- American Civil War (1861-1865)
Production
Estimated total produced: 150,000 · Production years: 1859-1874
Manufactured in the thousands across all variants; the Model 1A alone accounts for roughly 60,000 units and the 1C about 26,000
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Christian Sharps
Discontinued: 1874
Notes
Loaded by releasing the barrel cluster and sliding it forward to expose the four chambers. Model variants are distinguished mainly by grip material and frame metal: the 1A used decorated gutta-percha hard-rubber grips, the 1C varnished walnut, and the 1D an iron rather than silver-plated brass frame.
Background
Each time the shooter cocked the hammer, the firing pin itself rotated a quarter turn to line up with the next of the four barrels, turning a single hammer into a four-shot pocket gun, a clever trick that made the little Sharps a popular vest-pocket companion for Civil War soldiers and frontier travelers alike.