Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have one of my favorite topics, the patent dodge! This is the Sharps Model 2 Four Barrel Pepperbox pistol chambered in 30 Rimfire (later called 30 Rimfire Short). These were introduced in 1859 and were a direct result of dodging Rollin White’s fantastically influential patent of bored-through cylinders. Only a company like Smith & Wesson had the license to use this design which gave them a bit of an edge (a story for another time). Since this is not a revolver it does not have a cylinder AND its barrels themselves do not rotate. Instead, the firing pin rotates with every cocking movement of the hammer. It is built to constantly index in a circle and never necessarily start with the same one unless forced to.
“Manufactured from 1859 to 1874. The pepperbox has the straight standing breech, rounded grip to frame juncture, barrel release on the underside of the frame and smooth grips. The silver plated brass frame features a floral scroll engraving on the sides, rear and lower section of the back strap. A star burst engraving is featured around the sighting groove. The barrel cluster is numbered to the gun. “C. SHARPS/PATENT 1859” is stamped around the hammer screw on the left side of the frame and “C. SHARPS & Co/PHILADA, PA.” (half remains) on the right side.”
Lot 201: Sharps C & Company Pepperbox Pistol 30 Rf – Very Scarce Factory Engraved Sharps Model 2 Four-Barrel Pepperbox Pistol. (n.d.). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved February 7, 2023, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/60/201/sharps-c-company-pepperbox-pistol-30-rf.
