This handsome weapon is a Civil War Model 1859 Sharps rifle made by the Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company of Hartford, Connecticut, circa 1859 to 1862.  The single trigger, straight-breech model longarm is the seldom seen .56 caliber percussion, single shot breechloader issued to an early war contingent of some one hundred Illinois volunteers.  This independent company of soldiers was raised, armed and equipped with new Sharps M1859 rifles by a patriotic individual, Mr. Solomon Sturges of Chicago in April 1861 upon hearing the news of the firing on Fort Sumter. An unattached unit, this company became known as ‘The Sturges Rifles” and mustered into Federal service on May 6, 1861.   In June, it was ordered to West Virginia as bodyguard to Union General George McClellan and later was engaged at the battles of Rich Mtn, Yorktown, and The Seven Days.  A number of the men participated in the Battle of Antietam in September 1862.  The ‘Rifles’, under the command of Captain James Steel, mustered out of service on Nov 25, 1862 at Washington, DC.

These straight breech models were the most common type of Sharps in production and were a major improvement over the earlier slant breech versions.  Government contract quantities on the .56 caliber Sharps Rifle is scant.  Production estimates range from 600 to 1000 of these rifles with most going to the US Navy.   100 such rifles in the serial # range of 37000 to 38000 are attributed to use by the Sturges Rifles.

This .56 caliber rifle’s serial # 37101 is located to the rear of the top tang on the action assembly. Piece measures 47” long overall and features a 30” long round barrel mated to a black walnut stock. Barrel is stamped “SHARPS RIFLE / MANUFG. CO / HARTFORD CONN” in front of the ‘R. S. Lawrence’ folding rear sight. Behind the sight is marked “NEW MODEL 1859”. All patent stampings on the receiver are strong and clear. Barrel bore is semi-bright with strong six-groove rifling.  The barrel is equipped for the saber bayonet and has the bayonet lug under the barrel. Stock features an iron patchbox and a full forend stock that is secured to the barrel with three-barrel bands.  Walnut stock appears not to have been cleaned. No government cartouches visible.  Wood surface is excellent and displays few dings or dents.  All gunmetal wears a pleasing, smooth dusky brown patina overall with mottled gray / brown on the breech and frame.

This scarce longarm used by the Sturges Rifles early in the Civil War is a very fine condition Sharps M1859 rifle and most difficult to find.

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!