Only around 850 C. Sharps & Co. breech loading pistols were manufactured circa 1854-1857. Of these, only around 350 were this second variation. Both variations use mechanisms similar to the famous Sharps rifles. The basic premise is the same: a lever drops the round breechblock for loading a cartridge into the breech, and the hammer must be manually cocked in a separate action. Like the New Model rifles and carbines, it employs a integral pellet primer. It is believed that Christian Sharps left the Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Co. to start his own business in part due to the fact that others in charge of the Hartford company did not want to manufacture these handguns which they believed would be a poor seller. Other tensions including changes to Sharps designs without his input are also known to have been contributing factors to his Philadelphia venture. It has a rounded blade front sight, groove rear sight, "C. SHARPS & CO'S/RIFLE WORKS/PHILA, PA." on the right below the hammer, "C.SHARPS/PATENT/1848-1852" on the left side above the trigger, and smooth grips. The matching serial number is marked on the front grip strap, underside of the side plate, both grips, and left side of the frame under the grip.

Fair with gray patina, patches of mild pitting overall, clear markings, and light scratches. The grips are very good with light scuffs and some slight surface chips. Mechanically fine. These pistol are very rare and are only contained within a small number private collections.