Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive U.S. C. Sharps & Co. Model 1A .22 rimfire four barrel pepperbox pistol, serial number 43723, manufactured in Philadelphia during the 1860s. Compact, mechanically clever, and easily concealed, these distinctive Sharps pocket pistols became one of the best known American multibarrel handguns of the Civil War and postwar period. This example is particularly appealing with its 2 1/2" four barrel cluster, brass frame, substantial surviving barrel blue, and molded gutta percha grips with raised bank note style foliate decoration.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Christian Sharps developed his famous four barrel pocket pistol at the end of the 1850s, adapting the newly practical metallic rimfire cartridge to a remarkably compact repeating arm. Unlike a conventional revolver, the Sharps pistol used a fixed cluster of four separate rifled barrels. A single external hammer incorporated a rotating firing pin or striker nose that indexed from one chamber to the next as the pistol was cocked, allowing the four barrels to be fired sequentially.

The design proved highly successful as a compact personal defense arm. Sharps four barrel pistols were produced in several rimfire calibers and configurations from 1859 into the 1870s and became closely associated with the concealed pocket pistols of the Civil War and Old West eras. Their small size made them particularly suitable for travelers, civilians, and others wanting a multishot firearm that could be carried unobtrusively. Although Sharps pistols have long been popularly associated with gamblers and riverboat travel, there is no individual provenance connecting this particular example to such use.

This example is the collector designated Model 1A, chambered for .22 rimfire and fitted with the characteristic 2 1/2" four barrel cluster. Loading is accomplished by depressing the release button beneath the forward portion of the frame and sliding the complete barrel cluster forward on its dovetail. Once loaded, the cluster slides rearward again and locks into position.

The right side of the brass frame is marked around the hammer axis:

C. SHARPS & Co.
PHILADA. PA.

while the left side is marked:

C. SHARPS
PATENT 1859

The lower portions of both markings are somewhat lighter than the upper lettering due to uneven depth of the original stamping, but the identifying information remains legible.

Serial number:

43723

is stamped on the underside of the barrel assembly at the dovetail and again on the bottom of the grip frame. The matching number on these major components is an appealing indication that the original frame and barrel group remain together.

The four barrel cluster retains a substantial amount of its original blue, particularly along the upper surfaces and within the protected flutes between the individual barrels. The more exposed high points have faded toward gray from handling and age. The brass frame was originally silver plated, as was standard on many Model 1A pistols. Most of that finish has worn away, leaving an attractive mustard colored brass patina, although small darkened remnants of the original plating remain around protected portions of the frame.

The flat bottom grip is fitted with two molded gutta percha grip panels decorated with raised bank note style acanthus and foliate designs. These highly decorative molded grips are correct for the Model 1A and add considerably to the visual appeal of the pistol. Both panels remain in very good condition, showing only light smoothing and minor chipping at the lower corners. Originally very dark or black, the material has aged to a pleasing brown tone.

The firing mechanism remains mechanically responsive during careful manual inspection. The hammer holds correctly at both half cock and full cock, and the rotating firing pin advance mechanism indexes properly as the action is operated. We did not encounter failures to advance during inspection. The barrel release functions correctly, allowing the barrel cluster to slide forward for loading and cleaning before locking securely back into its firing position.

All four rifled bores are clear and remain in very good condition, with mostly bright interiors and visible lands and grooves. There is some old fouling and oxidation in the grooves, but we do not see major rust blooms or serious internal damage.

With its matching serial number 43723, strong surviving barrel blue, attractive aged brass frame, original style silver plating remnants, decorative molded gutta percha grips, functional rotating firing pin mechanism, and clear rifled bores, this is a particularly appealing example of the Sharps Model 1A pocket pistol. It would make an excellent addition to a collection of Civil War era handguns, Old West pocket arms, early metallic cartridge pistols, Christian Sharps firearms, or American pepperbox designs.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1870
Maker: C. Sharps & Co.
Model: 1A Pepperbox Pistol
Caliber: .22 Rimfire Short
Ammunition Type: Rimfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 2 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 5 inches
Action: Single
Feed System: 4 Barrel Pepperbox. Rotating Firing Pin.
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

NOTE: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are not able to ship to the United Kingdom. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

Note: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are not able to ship to the United Kingdom.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.