C. · Pistol

Sharps Four-Barrel Derringer

Name: Sharps Four-Barrel Derringer
Brand: C.

Breech loading · .22 Short · introduced 1859

Also known as Sharps Pepperbox, Sharps Model 1A, Sharps Four-Barrel Pistol

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About the Sharps Four-Barrel Derringer

The Sharps Four-Barrel Derringer, commonly called the Sharps Pepperbox, is a compact four-shot pocket pistol designed by Christian Sharps and produced from 1859. Rather than rotating its barrels, it uses four stationary barrels in a cluster that slides forward for loading, with a single firing pin on a ratchet that rotates a quarter-turn on each cock to fire each chamber in turn. The most common Model 1A is a .22 rimfire with a brass frame, while later models were offered in .30 and .32 rimfire.

Christian Sharps is far better known for the big single-shot Sharps rifles of the Old West, but his little four-barrel rimfire derringer was a commercial success and was widely copied.

Sharps Four-Barrel Derringer specifications

General

Type: Pistol
Action: Breech loading
Firing mechanism: Single action
Trigger: Sheathed trigger
Calibres: .22 Short, .32 Short Rimfire

Dimensions

Barrel length: 64 mm (2.5 in)
Overall length: 127 mm (5.0 in)

Barrel

Rifling: Right hand

Materials

Barrel: Steel
Receiver / frame: Brass
Stock: Walnut
Finish: silver_plated

Performance

Muzzle velocity (typical): 320 m/s (1050 fps)
Muzzle energy (typical): 96 J (71 ft·lb)
Effective range: 5 m

History

Introduced: 1859
Discontinued: 1874
Production status: Discontinued
Country of origin: US
Designer: Christian Sharps

Available calibres

.22 Short.32 Short Rimfire

Features

Four stationary barrels
Sliding barrel cluster
Rotating firing pin
Pocket pistol

Models 1/1A used a brass frame (often silver-plated) in .22 rimfire; the Model 3 used an iron frame in .32 rimfire under Sharps & Hankins. Production ceased on Christian Sharps' death in 1874.