A small and worthless hawk.
1804. “Three Sharpshins Reward” offered for a runaway apprentice.—Lancaster (Pa.) Journal, July 14.
1822. The celebrated Dr. Caustick, who edits a paper in Vermont, has lately given the alarm about tight pantaloons, and it is understood that the ancient and honorable families of the Sheepshanks, Bandy-legs, Knock-Knees, Bow-legs, and Sharp-shins, &c., of that patriotick State at once took arms against the innovation.—Mass. Spy, July 17: from the N.Y. Commercial Advertiser.
1829. This inconsiderable claim—for it is not of the value of a sharpshin—one hundred acres of marsh land, which no man would buy.—John P. Kennedy, ‘Swallow Barn,’ p. 93 (N.Y., 1851).
