Lot 3093

Engraved Tipping & Lawden Sharps Patent Pepperbox Pistol

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Engraved Tipping & Lawden Sharps Patent Pepperbox Pistol

Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000

Starting Bid: $3,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 23, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Highly Attractive Factory Engraved Tipping & Lawden Sharps Patent Four-Shot Pepperbox Pistol Manufactured c. the 1860s to 1870s, Tipping & Lawden of Birmingham, England, were one of only two foreign firms licensed by Sharps to manufacture these pistols in Europe. According to Norm Flayderman, only approximately 6,000 of them were produced in total, of which only an estimated 2,000 were .22 rimfire like this example. Since they were designed to be readily carried, most are well-worn, but this example is in high condition and has beautiful engraved English scrollwork and rosettes on nearly all of the frame as well as flourishes around the textured gripping sections on the sides of the barrels and a border pattern on the muzzles. The grips are the standard acanthus scrollwork patterned gutta percha type commonly found on their pistols. The barrel group is finished blue and has a post front sight and English proofs on the sides. The silver-plated frame at the breech has a groove for a rear sight and is marked "TIPPING & LAWDEN/SHARPS PATENT" around the hammer screw on the left. The serial number is on the bottom of the barrel and on the upper face of the frame. This Christian Sharps design was easily one of the most concealable weapons of the period and has also become somewhat of a cultural icon of the era thanks to Hollywood. They transcend multiple genres of firearms collecting, including derringer/pocket pistols, Sharps firearms, the Civil War, the Old West, and, in this case, fine hand engraving.

Manufacturer: Tipping & Lawden

Model: Four Barrel Derringer

BBL: 2 5/8 inch fluted

Gauge: .22

Finish: blue/silver

Grips: hardwood

Serial NumberNSN

Class: Antique

  • Condition: Very fine, retains 60% of the original blue finish and 90% plus of the attractively aged silver plating with the balance either a smooth grey patina or attractively aged brass, a few scattered patches of very light pitting, and crisp engraving overall. The grips are very fine with some scattered light handling marks. The hammer rotates intermittently, otherwise mechanically functions.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000