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Scarce Sharps Brass Mounted New Model of 1859 Carbine

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:6,500.00 - 9,500.00 USD
Scarce Sharps Brass Mounted New Model of 1859 Carbine
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Estimate: $6500 - 9500
This very fine, original Sharps New Model of 1859 Carbine was manufactured in 1859. The carbine is one of approximately 6000 made with brass buttplate, patch box and barrel band. The stock is fitted with a sling swivel; this sling swivel was specified by the Ordnance Department in the order for 620 Model 1859 Sharps carbines dated March 23, 1859. The lower sling swivel is found only on the brass mounted Sharps Model 1859 carbines. The Ordnance Department purchased 2000 brass mounted Model 1859 Carbines; these carbines were issued to the U.S. 1st and 2nd Cavalry Regiments in 1860. The last of these carbines was delivered in June 1860 and were carried by the 1st and 2nd Cavalry during the Civil War. The state of Georgia ordered 2000 Model 1859 carbines in November 1860 and 1600 brass mounted carbines delivered to Georgia by December of that year. Sharps carbines were issued to the 1st and 5th Georgia Cavalry and the 2nd and 57th Georgia Infantry. The carbine has a blued barrel and casehardened receiver, hammer and loading lever. The barrel is fitted with a brass front sight and Lawrence patent folding leaf rear sight graduated to 800 yards. The straight breech receiver has the improved gas check and pellet priming system with Lawrence patent cut-off. The left side of the receiver is fitted with a 2 9/16" sling bar and ring. The stock and forearm are black walnut with an oil finish. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "SHARPS RIFLE/MANUFG. CO./HARTFORD CONN." in three lines between the barrel band and rear sight. The rear sight base is stamped with the Lawrence patent markings. "NEW MODEL 1859" is roll-stamped on the top of the barrel between the rear sight and the receiver. The right side of the receiver is stamped: "C. SHARPS' PAT./OCT. 5th 1852" in two lines on the lock plate and "R.S.LAWRENCE' PAT/APRIL 12th 1859" behind the hammer. "C.SHARPS' PAT./SEPT. 12th 1848" is stamped on the left side of the frame. The serial number, "37731" is located on the upper receiver tang. An assembly number, "47" is stamped on the inside of the patch box door and on the patch box inlay of the stock.
BBL: 22 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 52 percussion
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 37731
Condition: Very fine. The carbine is completely original and retains nearly 70% of the blue finish. The blue finish on the barrel has aged to a smooth, plum-brown patina. The barrel markings are sharp, the bore is bright and wear is limited to some minor finish loss on the right side of the muzzle. The receiver, hammer and lever have a silver-gray patina with significant amounts of the original case colors remaining in protected areas. The receiver markings are sharp. The brass barrel band, patch box and buttplate have and attractive age patina; there are some scattered handling marks on the barrel band. The stock and forearm are in fine condition. Wear is limited to several small dents on the right side of the forearm and some scattered and minor handling marks on the stock. Most brass mounted Model 1859 Carbines were used in the Civil War; surviving examples are scarce and typically show the effects of hard service. This is an outstanding example of a brass mounted Sharps Model 1859 Carbine. Writer cannot recall of a finer example that we have ever offered at auction.