As far as I am aware the first order was placed by the Military in 1851 for 10,000 model 1851 rifles. A second contract was issued the same year for a further 15,000 rifles. Christian Sharps the inventor contracted his work out to one or two engineering companies. He left in 1855 to form his own business C.Sharps & Co. It was in no way connected to the modern C.Sharps Rifle Co. Once on his own C.Sharps produced mainly single shot pistols based on his falling block action design and a vast number of four barrelled 'Derringers' in small rimfire calibres.

Harry