Original U.S. 19th Century Sharps Model 2C .30 Rimfire 4 Barrel Brass Frame Pepperbox Pistol - Serial 4830

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 .30 Rim Fire that fired individually by way of a single action hammer with a rotating firing pin. Easy to conceal, these were very popular.

The barrel is slid forward for reloading by pushing in the button on the bottom of the frame and sliding the barrel forwards. The underside of the barrel is marked with serial number 4830 on the dovetail, which is also marked on the bottom of the pistol grip frame. There were several variations on this pistol, including some in .22RF with a shorter barrel. This is the model 2C, with the longer 3 inch barrel assembly in .30RF, for a bit more "punch".

The pistol is marked on both sides of the brass frame in circles around the hammer axis screw, though as we often see the markings may have been poorly struck and are now worn and only partly visible. The right side reads:

C. SHARPS & Co.
PHILADA. PA.

While the left has the complete crisp markings:

C. SHARPS
P[ATENT 18]59

Overall metal finish is very good, with the barrel assembly showing a lovely worn patina, faded from the original blue, which is only really present on the bottom now. The frame was originally nickel plated, however as with almost all we see this is now completely worn away from cleaning, replaced with a lovely "mustard" patina on the brass. The flat bottom grip is lovely, fitted with two lovely wooden grips, which look to be rosewood or strong-grained walnut. They show only light wear, with no cracks or chunks missing.

The breech opens correctly when the lock button is depressed, usually stopping once it is in the loading position. The barrel assembly does sometimes slide all the way out, as the spring that normally engages the inlet on the bottom is weak. This version does not have any provision for an extractor / ejector. The advance lever for the rotating firing pin works very well on this example, and we did not notice it missing after repeated cycling. The hammer works well with a strong dry fire, however the tumbler is worn, so there is no half cock position. The bores on the barrels are all clear, and still have clear lands and grooves, with partly bright finishes. They do show some past oxidation and fouling, now cleaned away, so the pistol definitely does look to have seen some use while in service.

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

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1870
Caliber: .30 Rimfire
Ammunition Type: Rimfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 3 inches
Overall Length: 5 1/2 inches
Action: Single
Feed System: 4 Barrel Pepperbox. Rotating Firing Pin.

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.