Multi-shot percussion firearms were often considered dangerous because firing one powder charge could ignite the others (a 'chainfire'), all at the same time, when proper care was not taken.
Both British and American made pepperboxes were also popular among gold miners in Australia as a cheaper alternative to the Colt Navy, and several were used at the Eureka Stockade. In the Old West, large pepperboxes were favored by the gold prospectors of 49, for protection against robbers, hostile Red Indians, and rival claimants. With this use in mind, many pepperboxes, in fact, have smooth-bored barrels, even though rifling had been commonly used for decades by the time of their manufacture.
Gunfights often happened at point-blank range. Common practice at the time, indeed, was not to aim pistols, but instead to 'shoot from the hip,' holding the gun low and simply pointing at the target's center of mass. However, the primary market was for civilian self-defense, so its most common use was at close range. With most types, in particular those with rotating barrel-clusters, it is almost impossible to aim beyond close range because the hammer is in the line of sight (some pepperboxes have a slot in the hammer through which one is supposed to aim), there is no place to put a frontsight (putting one for each barrel would only increase the weight of the front end and likely make drawing the weapon awkward), and the gun is too front-heavy to permit quick and steady aiming. Worldwide shipping by registered mail with tracking number.The flaw with the pepperbox is that it becomes more front-heavy if the length and number of barrels is increased, making accurate aiming difficult. The book illustrated is not part of the sale. This is an original, 19th century pistol - not a modern copy or replica. As found, on working condition but neads cleaning.Īs long time dealer it is my belief that most colletors prefer to get items as found and restore them as they like, as well as other collectors enjoy to keep antique arms as found with all their time aging.Ĩ cm. This kind of numbers and assemblage work is also done at Liége as arms parts come from several makers.įair condition. 61 have the number 8 - those are assembly numbers used by makers to finish the pistols. In this case the number on usual places is the 1. There are several types of Spanish copies of Sharps pepperboxes and we may see several of these on the reference book of Jack Dunlap - American British & Continental Pepperbox Firearms (1964) one, with no marks as well, on fig. No marks, only the number 7 located on the underside of the barrel block, on the frame under the barrel block and on the trigger - as seen on one of the images. Scarce Spanish version of the Sharps pepperbox derringerīreech loading, 4-shot, break down barrels.
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