Collectible Sharps Pistol, .30 Caliber, Original Nickel Finish

Sharps Pepperbox Pistol – Second Model .30

Manufacture: 1859–1874 – Caliber: .30 – Original nickel finish

This .30 caliber Sharps Pepperbox Second Model retains a very high percentage of its original nickel finish; it features four 3-inch barrels and is in excellent overall condition.

History

Sharps Firearms was one of the major American manufacturers of the 19th century. Its reputation was built largely on the famous carbines used during the Civil War and its "buffalo rifles." Alongside its long guns, Sharps produced several models of black-powder pistols, including the Pepperbox, manufactured between 1859 and 1874. These compact weapons are distinguished by their four barrels and a rotating firing mechanism that allows for successive shots.

Our Model

This .30 caliber Sharps Pepperbox Second Model remains in a fine, original state of preservation. The metal parts retain nearly 100% of the original nickel finish, showing only very minor losses. The markings are clear and legible, notably the "Patent" inscription, which is plainly visible on the left side of the frame. Serial number 7XXX is clearly visible beneath the barrel and also appears—though less sharply—under the grip. The piece is completed by a wooden grip in excellent condition, perfectly fitted to the frame and showing only very slight signs of wear.

Mechanically, the weapon is in good working order. The opening mechanism characteristic of this model functions correctly. The rotating firing pin indexes properly each time the hammer is cocked, ensuring the sequential rotation of the four firing points. The four 3-inch barrels, chambered in .30, feature a smooth bore with crisp, well-defined rifling and only slight signs of use.

As a "Second Model" in .30 caliber—slightly larger than the .22-caliber "Junior" version—this Sharps pistol is a representative example of 19th-century American black-powder handguns.