Sharps Four Barrel Pepperbox Pistol

33
One of the popular Wild West pistols was the Sharps Four Barrel Pepperbox Pistol.



The appearance of the gun is certainly familiar to many lovers stories weapons... The creator of the pistol is Christian Sharps (Christian Sharps 1810-1874), whose arms company Sharps and Company produced, in addition to pistols, also reliable military and sports rifles.

Sharps gun appeared on the market of civilian weapons, when the demand for personal weapons of self-defense was very high. This reason, coupled with multiply charged, ensured the enormous success of the pistol. Of course, the compactness and reliability of the weapon were also appreciated by the consumer.



Another 18 December 1849. Christian Sharps received a patent number number 6960, which described the four-barrel "pepper" with fixed trunks and turning drummer. After each cocking, he struck alternately at the primers mounted on the four barrel trunks. This gun was not produced for commercial purposes and the site HistoryPistols.ru could not find his photos. The appearance of unitary cartridges allowed Sharps to continue the development of his project, leaving the general design of the pistol as a basis.



“Let it be known that I, CHRISTIAN SHARPS, a city and county of Philadelphia and the state of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful improvements in the breech of a firearm with a rotating drummer, and I explain this invention with a complete, clear and precise description with reference to the accompanying drawings ... ”This is how the textual part of the patent received by Sharps 25 of January 1859 of the year, No. 22753, begins. From this date began the story of the famous pistol Sharps.



Despite the fact that the title of the patent says “C. Sharps. Revolver ... ”Sharps is of course not a revolver, but a four-barrel pocket pistol. This weapon is sometimes called the “Peperbox” (“Pepper”), although the classic “pepper shakers” usually had a rotating block of barrels. The total length of the Sharps pistol is one of the first 161 mm models, the barrel unit length is approximately 75 mm.



Sharps is also sometimes called a four-barred derringer, since it is a typical compact self-defense weapon. Sharps pistol enjoyed success with card players, easy-going women, traveling salesmen, travelers as defensive weapons.



As a spare pistol, designed for concealed carrying, Sharps was used by military and law enforcement officers. The weapons were produced under various ring ignition cartridges. The first models had a caliber 0.22. Later pistols were made for 0.30 caliber cartridges, 0.32 and long 0.32 cartridges.



Gun Sharps fairly simple and technologically advanced. The weapon consists of a frame, handle cheeks, a block of barrels, a single-action firing mechanism and a mechanism for fixing the barrels in a frame.



The gun is easily disassembled for cleaning and maintenance, easy to maintain and to use. Perhaps these are the most important qualities that must have a pocket civilian weapons.



Sharps pistol flat spring is located in the handle. The block of barrels for loading moves forward, opening the chamber of the four barrels.



The tabs in the lower part of the barrel unit while moving along the grooves in the frame of the gun. After loading the weapon, the barrel unit moved back and was fixed with a protrusion of the fixation lever. The button of the fixing mechanism, depending on the model of the pistol, is located in the lower part of the frame or on its left side.

Sharps Four Barrel Pepperbox Pistol


Unusual in the Sharps pistol was the design of a rotating drummer. In the hole of the trigger mounted drummer, which has a ratchet on the back side. When cocking the hammer, a special swivel lever with its end acts on the ratchet, turning the drummer by 45 degrees. In this case, the warhead of the drummer occupies one of four positions opposite one of the four chamber holders of the barrel unit.





The swivel arm is located on the left side of the trigger. Rotating drummer is held in the trigger by a special spring plate. This plate is attached with a screw to the back side of the trigger. It also acts on the pivot arm, directing it during rotation of the ratchet.



Sharps pistol frames do not have a trigger guard. It is interesting that one of the graphic applications to the patent shows a trigger guard, which is also a lever for moving a block of trunks in a frame.



Frames of early pistols were usually made of brass, later models had steel frames. Trigger steel, pacifier type, in the stowed position is covered in the tide frame.





Enough unusual performed fastening the cheeks handle in the frame of the gun. The upper part of both the left and right cheeks are included in the groove of the frame and held in it. The lower part is fastened with a transverse plank with protrusions - the retainer of the cheeks (Grips Retainer). After installing the cheeks in the frame, they are clamped clamp locks. The latch itself is screwed to the bottom of the frame with a screw.



The barrel unit of the pistol has four threaded barrel bore with six grooves in the right direction. The barrel unit is usually not equipped with an extractor.



Sharps pistol sights are quite primitive. They consist of a front sight, fortified in the upper part of the barrel unit, and a slot in the breech frame. For a pocket weapon that is designed to fire at a distance not exceeding 10-15 meters, this is quite enough.



On the surface of the frame of the Sharps pistol there is a marking in the form of alphanumeric text applied around a circle. The marking indicates the name of the enterprise and the place of production of the weapon, as well as the year of registration of the patent for this pistol. On the left side of the frame is the text: “C. SHARPS PATENT 1859 ", on the right side" C. SHARPS & CO. PHILADA, PA ".



The serial numbers of the pistol are applied in the lower part of the barrel unit, in the lower part of the handle and on the right side of the trigger.



In 1862, Christian Sharps teamed up with William Hankins. The Sharps & Hankins joint venture continued producing pistols. Sometimes a new name of the manufacturer appears in the marking of pistols "ADDRESS SHARPS & HANKINS, PHILADELPHIA, PENN." at the top of the barrel unit. On the right side of the frame, the markings are in two horizontal lines “C. SHARPS PATENT / JAN. 25, 1859 ". In late-release pistols, the grip cheeks were attached to the frame with a simple screw.



The great popularity of the Sharps pistol is evidenced by the fact that the Italian company Uberti is currently releasing a replica of the famous four-barreled derringer. The markings of the pistol replicas produced by the Italian company Uberti differ significantly from the markings of the original weapons of the Sharps and Company and Sharps & Hankins companies.



Sharps pistol is quite common at gun auctions, especially in the United States. Sometimes weapons are put up for sale in a very unusual design. The gun shown in the photo is a combination of a firearm and a cold weapon.



Installed in the upper part of a folding knife, fixed with a ring on the muzzle cut of the barrel unit. For this purpose, a slot is made above the lock button. A framed steel plate is fixed in the frame, which probably not only performs the function of protecting the hand, but also serves as a striking part — a brass knuckle.



Sharps pistols were produced from 1859 to 1874 in large numbers. The exact number of manufactured pistols is not known, but judging by their serial numbers, there were about 100 thousand. After the death of Christian Sharps, the rights to manufacture the pistol were acquired by Tipping & Lawden from Birmingham (England), which produced not only weapons of the usual caliber, but also 6 mm, 7 mm and 9 mm for European consumers. Sharps British pistols were produced from 1874 to 1877.

In the antique market, four-barreled Sharps pistols are in constant demand. Weapons can adequately replenish collections of museums and private collections. The average price of original pistols in good condition is 1,5 thousands of dollars. The price of rare Sharps pistol models in the original weapon box, with a set of accessories and preserved ammunition, can reach 10 thousand dollars.
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33 comments
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  1. +2
    14 February 2015 06: 38
    The goal of invention is cunning :)
    1. +9
      14 February 2015 12: 21
      Thank you for the article!
      Thanks to her, I discovered that I may have made a mistake with the conclusions when I wrote a series of articles on weapons created by American designer Robert Hillberg: about the Winchester Liberator and Colt Defender shotguns and the COP .357 Derringer pistol.

      At the beginning of 1962, Robert Hillberg proposed his first concept of a rifle device for insurgents.
      He based on the scheme of Ethan Allen (pepperbox), reworked it, and he got a multiply-charged multi-barreled gun, which had the rate of fire of a semi-automatic rifle.


      Most likely Hillberg was inspired by the work of Christian Sharps: the same fixed block of trunks and a rotating drummer.


      Gun COP .357 Derringer 1983-th year.


      One more thing: fixing the cheeks to the handle.
      Robert Hillberg, when creating the Wildey (Wildie) pistol, used and patented a method of attaching the cheeks to the firearm handle (Firearm grip assembly).
      In both pistols (both Sharps and Wildey), the cheeks were attached differently, but in both cases without side screws.
      1. +3
        14 February 2015 13: 32
        Found on the gun auction and this version:
        Sharps Pepperbox 22 short.
        The starting price is 400 USD.

      2. 0
        15 February 2015 17: 38
        such pistols have much in common with both derringers and peperboxes. in the 19th century before such schemes were very popular. and now, as a weapon of self-defense, it’s also in use. OCA for example.
      3. The comment was deleted.
  2. 0
    14 February 2015 07: 19
    Recoil when fired probably wrist dried for a week
    1. +4
      14 February 2015 07: 41
      Quote: Inveterate Hrych
      Recoil when fired probably wrist dried for a week

      Most likely no. Ammo is weak.
  3. +2
    14 February 2015 07: 19
    A good option for self-defense weapons.
  4. +7
    14 February 2015 08: 56
    Good detailed article about interesting old weapons, author +100
    1. avt
      +2
      14 February 2015 10: 36
      Quote: Sanya Rus
      Good detailed article about interesting old weapons, author +100

      good Excellent! Informative, visual and capacious - in the "format"! Very intelligible presentation of the material, understandable to anyone. Plus!
  5. +1
    14 February 2015 09: 19
    Yes, you missed an interesting weapon, thanks
  6. +2
    14 February 2015 11: 30
    Quote: Inveterate Hrych
    Recoil when fired probably wrist dried for a week

    Well, then, when fired from the "Wasp" (structurally similar, a block of 4 barrels), the recoil should be dried for two weeks because the "Wasp" has a larger caliber, and the cartridge charge will be more powerful. lol
  7. Kuranov V.
    0
    14 February 2015 11: 38
    at that time, revolvers were already being fired with might and main, so the weapons clearly did not correspond to their time. And so, yes, an interesting example.
    1. 0
      14 February 2015 15: 03
      Double-barreled "derringers", in principle, also did not correspond to their time (for a revolver had already appeared, and as you know "God created people, and Colt made them equal in rights"). Nevertheless, "derringers" are still produced by many arms companies and not only as entertainment or collection weapons. It's just that each type of weapon has its own market niche and its own buyer.
      1. 0
        15 February 2015 12: 46
        Such weapons are called weapons of last chance! IM machine gun belt to anything!
      2. The comment was deleted.
      3. 0
        15 February 2015 17: 45
        derringers took and take compactness. they are good for self-defense.
  8. Tarhan
    0
    14 February 2015 11: 48
    Something in the films, I have not seen him. This pistol is a "swan song" single-shot, on the barrel, pistols. And all in order to increase the rate of fire. But the multi-charge system was decided by the drum system of revolvers, and if Sharps was in demand, then for a very short time, before the mass use of revolvers. That is, it was not popular.
    1. +1
      14 February 2015 12: 09
      Well, almost 100 thousand. copies - it was quite in demand, it means it was.
    2. anomalocaris
      +6
      14 February 2015 14: 14
      You're wrong. Non-automatic multi-barrel pistols have not lost their relevance to this day. In terms of compactness and ammunition power in this size class, they still have no equal.
    3. 0
      14 February 2015 22: 50
      Quote: Tarkhan
      That is, he was not popular.

      Ivan! hi You're right, that's not the point. You may be right about the drums, but you understand the essence of mechanics. For interest plus you. He did not try to be popular, the essence is in the idea ... and consider this an innovation of that time ...
      1. anomalocaris
        0
        16 February 2015 12: 40

        But this is the "innovation" of almost our time
    4. 0
      15 February 2015 17: 48
      look westerns, poker whiskey derringers.
    5. The comment was deleted.
    6. 0
      16 February 2015 09: 22
      Quote: Tarkhan
      Something in the movies I have not seen

      Pistol and I do not remember, but Sharps guns appeared quite often.
      The most famous paintings:
      Dancing with wolves (1990)
      Director: Kevin Costner
      Used Sharps 1863 Carbine


      Geronimo: The American Legend (1993)
      Plays young Matt Damon
      Used Sharps 1874 Buffalo.
  9. +1
    14 February 2015 12: 35
    Quote: Kuranov V.
    at that time, revolvers were already being fired with might and main, so the weapons clearly did not correspond to their time. And so, yes, an interesting example.

    Revolvers are more bulky, but for hidden wearing it.
    The size of the dollar is clear, and how much weight?
    Article, as always +
    1. +5
      14 February 2015 13: 30
      Quote: Grigorievich
      The size of the dollar is clear, and how much weight?

      12 oz weighs: approximately 340 grams.
      The length of the barrel block is 3 inches (76,2 mm).
  10. 0
    14 February 2015 12: 44
    On a model with a knife, the protective bracket resembles a brass knuckles. smile
    1. +1
      14 February 2015 13: 21
      Quote: Egor65G
      On a model with a knife, the protective bracket resembles a brass knuckles.

      So in the article it is written:
      A framed steel plate is fixed in the frame, which probably not only performs the function of protecting the hand, but also serves as a striking part — a brass knuckle.
      1. +1
        14 February 2015 14: 07
        Right! Read diagonally laughing
  11. +4
    14 February 2015 19: 43
    Another model of unusual weapons. Thanks to the author, an interesting sample.
    1. anomalocaris
      +1
      15 February 2015 01: 53
      Why unusual? This is a fairly common type of "vest" weapon since the middle of the 19th century. There were a wide variety of samples, for a variety of cartridges. At the beginning of the twentieth century, their popularity declined slightly, as samples of automatic pistols appeared, such as the Browning Model 1906. However, after the Second World War, the revival of non-automatic multi-barreled pistols began. For example, "Alaskan Derringer"

      Just for information, this unit can use .45-70, .45Colt, and shot .410 caliber cartridges.
      1. 0
        15 February 2015 12: 49
        I understand that grizzly brains take out to fly? ;)
        1. anomalocaris
          +1
          15 February 2015 14: 44
          Well yes. This unit is positioned as a survival weapon. Here is a video with shooting, very entertaining.

          In general, in the United States (well, where the law allows), two-four-barrel derringers are very popular for hidden wearing. Indeed, in the aggregate "price - dimensions - power - reliability" they are simply beyond competition.
  12. +1
    14 February 2015 20: 54
    Based on this development, to allow self-defense weapons (not rubber tires) in the Russian Federation, since our authorities are afraid of full-fledged pistols. I would take good
    1. +1
      14 February 2015 22: 43
      Svyatoslav, it's probably easier to buy the "Wasp". I also adore rarities, but alas ... hi
      1. 0
        15 February 2015 17: 11
        Quote: Nikoha.2010
        probably easier to buy "Wasp".

        Not easier:
        1-rubber-boom
        2 dimensions
        The device under discussion for full-fledged combat cartridges.
        In the overwhelming majority of cases, for self-defense, the very thing (both in quantity and in "slaughter")
  13. +1
    14 February 2015 22: 31
    Who, the author did not understand. Thank you, distract more often from the Ukrainian topic. For some reason, Remington immediately remembered. And about the recharge system I drove in only the fourth time. Sorry Saturday drinks
  14. 0
    15 February 2015 01: 51
    Quote: Grigorievich
    Revolvers are more bulky

    The revolver will not vary much in size. It will be lighter in weight. Because all the cartridges are in the drum and one barrel for all.
    1. anomalocaris
      +1
      15 February 2015 07: 07
      It will be very serious. And it is due to the drum. With a six-shot drum, the longitudinal dimension will increase one and a half times, when comparing with the four-barreled version and almost two when comparing with the double-barreled (naturally it is necessary to compare units under one cartridge). The height also increases by the diameter of the space occupied by the axis of rotation of the drum. But the gain in the mass will not be so significant.
      1. 0
        16 February 2015 12: 41
        Not significantly, despite the fact that the revolver has 6 rounds in the drum.
        1. anomalocaris
          +2
          16 February 2015 19: 04

          Especially for fans of revolvers. I hope you will not refute Euclidean geometry?
          Moreover, the dimensions of the revolver are given without regard to the frame.
  15. 0
    15 February 2015 17: 42
    On this site, you constantly go through the program without!
    Thanks to the authors for the article.
    I think I'm excusable (I'm a woman), but I never knew about the existence of four-barreled pistols.
    1. anomalocaris
      +2
      15 February 2015 19: 27
      There were even more monstrous specimens. Moreover, they are so mind-blowing that current steam park lovers nervously smoke on the sidelines.

      Meanwhile, this is a completely real ten-barreled .36 caliber pistol, which was invented by a certain Jones in 1860.
      1. +1
        15 February 2015 19: 42
        I would take one, in the evening go to the pavilion for a beer for counterargumentation with the local "intellectuals" always hanging out there laughing
      2. 0
        15 February 2015 19: 54
        Something seems to me that the ten-barreled, it is, for "show-off". Isn't it easier, "Russian roulette", with a six-shot revolver?
        1. +1
          15 February 2015 20: 01
          Quote: ia-ai00
          Isn't it easier, "Russian roulette", with a six-shot revolver?

          Dimensions request
          Just like in a movie, you just can't hide it in your pocket.
          And with constant wear, he’s still hemorrhoids.
          Of course I'm comparing a four-barreled ...
  16. +1
    16 February 2015 12: 38
    Quote: Mister X
    Pistol and I do not remember, but Sharps guns appeared quite often.
    The most famous paintings:

    Forgotten "Quigley in Australia" smile

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