Featured in this lot we have a Sharps & Hankins model 3 pepperbox pistil chambered in .32 caliber. This pepperbox features a four shot barrel, steel frame, and walnut grips. The story of the Sharps four-barrel pistol begins, officially, on December 18, 1849. On that date, the United States Patent Office issued patent number 6960 for a revolver to Christian Sharps, then residing in Washington, D.C. This "revolver" was, actually, not a revolver at all, but a pepperbox in which the barrels didn't revolve. It was fired by a striker which did revolve, though, on a center post to hit, in sequence, the percussion caps which were placed on nipples on the ends of the barrels. The side hammer served both as a cocking lever and as the force behind the striker. The pistol was not produced on a commercial basis until 1859, after Sharps had become sole owner of the Fairmont Rifle Works in West Philadelphia. By this time, the metallic cartridge had been introduced and Sharps was able to develop his design into a practical repeating pistol. Patent number 22753 was issued to Sharps on January 25, 1859, again for a "revolver". The first model was .22 caliber. Made with a brass frame, it had a spur or stud trigger, and was a single-action, four-shot repeater. The model 3 was produced from 1862-1874 with approximately 100,00 model 3 made. This pepperbox is in good condition overall with wear across the nickel and blue finish due to age. The pistol weighs 12oz. Serial Number: 1243. This firearm qualifies as an Antique, and does not require FFL Transfer or NICS Background Check.