Lot 1072

Factory Engraved Tipping & Lawden Sharps Patent Pepperbox

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Factory Engraved Tipping & Lawden Sharps Patent Pepperbox

Estimate: $5,000 - $8,000

Starting Bid: $4,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 22, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Excellent Factory Engraved Tipping & Lawden Sharps Patent Four-Shot Pepperbox Pistol with Case Inscribed to A.F. Thistlethwayte and Cased Queen's Messenger Badge 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 and produced around 6,000 of them 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. Included with this derringer is a beautifully figured hardwood case with shield and banner shaped escutcheons on the lid, the shield engraved with a rampant lion and torse, and the banner inscriber with "A.F. Thistlethwayte. The inscription is believed to be to Augustus Frederick Thistlethwayte, a wealthy English gentleman and sportsman. Period sources often refer to Thistlethwayte as an eccentric who is said to have fired a pistol into the ceiling to summon his servants, and his wife, Laura Eliza Jane Seymour Bell, also had quite an intriguing rise in standing from a prostitute in Belfast. In 1887, Thistlethwayte was found in a locked room, killed by a single gunshot with a revolver in his hand. The case also contains an ivory handled screwdriver and cleaning rod, as well as an oiler. Also included is a cased "VR" cypher marked "Queen's Messenger" badge. It is unknown if Thistlethwayte was ever officially a Queen's messenger, but he was certainly of adequate standing.

Manufacturer: Tipping & Lawden

Model: Four Barrel Derringer

BBL: 2 5/8 inch fluted

Gauge: .22

Finish: blue/silver

Grips: gutta percha

Serial Number469

Class: Antique

  • Condition: Excellent, retains 95% plus of the original blue and silver finishes with some very light wear and crisp engraving throughout. The grips are also excellent with only the slightest handling marks and crisp floral motifs. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine with an age related crack in the lid and some mild wear. The badge is very fine with minimal wear and the badge's case is very good with mild wear. An excellent example of a factory engraved Tipping & Lawden pepperbox with intriguing history!

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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