Antique C. Sharps & Co. 4 Barrel Pepperbox 22 RF Philadelphia Model 1C

Serial #18139, .22 Rim Fire (black powder), 2.5 inch barrel with fine bores with strong rifling and some scattered roughness.  This is the Model 1C fluted standing breech and rounded grip frame 4 shot, “Pepperbox” breech-loading pistol manufactured by C. Sharps & Co. in Philadelphia, PA and marked on the left “C. SHARPS PATENT 1859” and “C. SHARPS & CO. PHILADA, PA” on the right manufactured from 1859-1874 with a relatively few, 26,000 manufactured.   In very good condition the barrels are an even smooth gray with the brass frame a goldenrod brass with markings that are crisp on the top and fading on the lower portions.  The grips are solid with a well worn finish.   The barrels lock crisply into place and the hammer functions properly and advances the firing pin on each successive cocking and fires with a crisp trigger pull.  The numbered parts match.  A very good example of this iconic four-shot pistol in a somewhat scarcer model variation.  Antique.