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RARE SHARPS PISTOL CARBINE SN 459

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:12,800.00 USD Estimated At:19,200.00 - 28,800.00 USD
RARE SHARPS PISTOL CARBINE SN 459
SHARPS PISTOL CARBINE SN 459. Cal. 41 Mule-Ear. Rare little rifle with 27-1/2in rnd bbl, dovetail front sight with narrow blade & patented miniature musket style rear sight with ski jump style elevation notches. Rifle is built on a small frame pistol action with left side marked ~SHARPS & Co PHILADa, PA.~. Right side is set up for the disc primer feed. Mounted with uncheckered straight grain American walnut with long rnd forearm that has a steel schnable tip screwed to the bbl. Stock has pistol grip with steel oval grip cap and semi-crescent steel buttplate and a 2-pc patchbox on the right side. Receiver has full coverage Gustave Young engraving consisting of intertwined foliate arabesque patterns with punch dot background. Hammer, forend cap, buttplate tang and patchbox are engraved to match. According to Sharps Firearms, Sellers, only about 550 of these rare rifles were produced in the short time frame of 1857-1860. They were available with three types of cartridges - paper, wire ejector and mule-ear and two different frame sizes, making this an extremely rare Sharps rifle. CONDITION: About fine. Bbl retains most of its dark brown finish/patina with cleaned areas on both sides forward of the forearm and over the chamber area. Receiver has smoky case colors behind the hammer, otherwise colors are faded to silver & gray. Forend cap, buttplate & patchbox are also gray metal patina. Wood is sound with light nicks & dings and retains a very old restored finish. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore, dark in the grooves.