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NEW MODEL 1859 SHARPS CARBINE POSSIBLE GEORGIA PURCHASE

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The most famous, single-shot, percussion firearm used during the Civil War was the Sharps carbine, a .52 caliber, breechloading firearm invented and patented by Hartford, Connecticut native Christian Sharps. Presented here is a specimen of the New Model 1859 Sharps carbine that saw heavy use and features serial #31672.

Carbine has a 22” long round barrel. The slightly-worn markings found on top of the barrel are “SHARPS RIFLE / MANUFG. CO / HARTFORD, CONN.” in front of the sight while behind the sight, where “NEW MODEL 1859” should be, there is nothing to be seen. The Lawrence-marked rear sight is complete and in good order. The bore is dark with scattered pitting; strong rifling.

All gunmetal is in fair condition overall with dark brown tone and very light surface pitting. The right side of the receiver shows some dings. Sharps patent stamps appear on the lock plate and left side of receiver. Lawrence patent stamp is hard to see on lock plate amid some surface rust. The priming system is missing the top cover and thumb tab. Serial number is clearly stamped unto the upper tang of the receiver. Breechblock opens and closes smoothly with the lever having moderate side to side wobble. Hammer / trigger mechanics remain strong.

Features the brass patch box and butt plate. Only the earliest production of NM1859 carbines, approximately 3000 of them, were made with the brass furniture. Iron swivel on underside of butt stock. Brass barrel band for fore stock is missing.

Wood on butt stock is very good without any cracks or breaks. Only the usual dings and small scratches from use and age. The fore stock tells another story. There is a 1.5” x 1.25” missing piece, blown out from the underside between the receiver and screw post. From this damage, a 5” x 1” long piece is broken loose but held in place with an old leather tie. We believe this was a “blow out” caused by gun powder dust that collected under the breech block and finally ignited. Old Model Sharps cartridges and Richmond-made Sharps cartridges were made with long paper cases that, when closing the breech block, the tail end of the cartridge was sheared off to expose the gun powder. This action resulted in two problems often noted by soldiers. First, the small amounts of loose powder that spilled out atop the breech block could ignite in the soldier’s face. Second, fine powder dust could accumulate between receiver and fore stock and, as likely happened here, eventually ignite causing a blow out.

There are no Federal inspector’s cartouches and, as this very likely was one of 2000 Sharps guns sold to the State of Georgia in December of 1860, there shouldn’t be. The Sharps carbines sold to Georgia are known to be brass mounted and in the 31,000 to 36,000 serial number range. This is s/n 31,672, with brass, with a typical “home-made” repair, and no Federal cartouche, this is very likely a Georgia gun. Many of the Sharps carbines sold to Georgia were issued to the 1^st and 5^th Georgia cavalry.

This is a fine carbine with an even better story.  [jet] [ph:L]

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire.

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THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

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