Item:
ONSV21NT120

Original U.S. 19th Century Sharps & Hankins Model 3C .32 Short Rimfire 4 Barrel Pepperbox Pistol - Serial 5742

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Available. This is exactly what the Mississippi gamblers carried on the River Boats after the Civil War for self protection. Featuring FOUR barrels, each in .32 Short Rimfire that fire individually by way of a single action hammer with a rotating internal firing pin. Easy to conceal due to the size and small "spur" style trigger, these were very popular.

The barrel easily removed by pulling down the button on the left side of the frame and sliding the barrel off forwards for reloading, which also ejects the spent cartridges. The underside of the barrel is marked with serial number 5742 on the dovetail, which is also marked on the bottom of the grip. This is a all-matching example of the rare Sharps & Hankins Model 3C Pistol, a predecessor to the later Sharps 4A "Bulldog".

The top of the barrel assembly has the correct Sharps & Hankins address, which is mostly clear:

ADDRESS SHARPS & HANKINS PHILADELPHIA PENN.

The pistol is also marked on the side of the lower frame:-

C. SHARPS PATENT
JAN. 25. 1859

Overall metal finish is still quite nice, with a lovely patina of age. The bright iron frame ;and blued barrel are now mostly faded to a grayish patina. The flat bottom grip is very nice, with two lovely checkered "gutta percha" grip scales that look great. The rotating internal firing pin works well on this example, though the action can be finicky, which sometimes prevents the pistol from holding at full cock. Most likely one of the internal springs is sticking. The bores on the barrels are all clear, and still have clear lands and grooves, with partly bright finishes.

An interesting stepping stone in 19th Century American firearms. Nice matured condition ready to display.

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: circa 1860
Caliber:  .32 Short Rimfire
Ammunition Type: Rimfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 3 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 6 1/4 inches
Action: Single
Feed System: 4 Barrel Pepperbox. Rotating Internal Firing Pin.

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.

  • This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey

    This product is available for international shipping.
  • Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon

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