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Sharps New Model 1859 Double Set-Trigger Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Long Guns - Rifles Start Price:1,700.00 USD Estimated At:3,500.00 - 5,500.00 USD
Sharps New Model 1859 Double Set-Trigger Rifle
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Sharps New Model 1859 Double Set-Trigger Rifle

This is an example of a Sharps New Model 1859 breech-loading rifle. The rifle has factory double set triggers (DST) and is the same configuration as the 2000 DST Sharps rifles purchased by the Ordnance Department in 1862 to arm the 1st and 2nd U.S. Sharpshooter regiments ('Berdan's Sharpshooters'). Nearly 200 DST Sharps rifles that were excess to the requirements of the Berdan's Sharpshooters were issued to the 42nd Pennsylvania Infantry (Bucktails). "CIVIL WAR SHARPS CARBINES & RIFLES" by Coates & McAulay lists the serial numbers of 180 New Model 1859 Sharps rifles, serial number 54377-57641, that were issued to the Pennsylvania Bucktails. This rifle has a blued 30-inch barrel with color casehardened forearm cap, barrel bands, receiver, hammer, lever butt-plate and patch box The stock and forearm are oil finished American walnut. The rifle barrel has a block front sight for a socket bayonet, and R.S. Lawrence patent rear sight with long leaf, 900 yard center notch. In addition to the factory DST the riffle has the R.S. Lawrence pellet primer. The stock has the standard casehardened iron patch box. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the three-line Sharps address ahead of the rear sight and the model designation "NEW MODEL 1859" behind it. The rear sight base has the standard R.S. Lawrence patent markings. The right side of the receiver has the two-line Sharps patent markings on the side plate and the R.S. Lawrence patent markings below the pellet primer. The two line Sharps 1849 patent marking is roll-stamped on the left side of the receiver. The serial number, "41621" is stamped on the upper receiver tang. Sharps rifles with DST in the 39000-41000 serial number range are considered to be possible Berdan's rifles IF they have the requisite Ordnance "JT" final inspection mark on the left side of the stock wrist and "O.W.A." sub-inspection mark on the left side of the barrel. This rifle has no visible Ordnance inspection marks on the stock or barrel and does not appear to have been stamped with the inspection marks placed on the U.S. contract Sharps rifles purchased for issue to Berdan's Sharpshooters. In addition, all of the Sharps DST rifles documented by serial number as issued to Berdans Sharpshooters or Pennsylvania Bucktails have serial numbers between 54377 and 57641.

Manufacture: Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company
Model: New Model 1859
BBL: 30 Inch
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 52 percussion
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 41621

Very good plus. The rifle is all original and retains traces of the blue and casehardened finish. The blue finish on the barrel has aged to a mellow plum patina and the case colors on the receiver, patch box, buttplate and other case-hardened components have a silver gray patina. All of the markings on the barrel and receiver are sharp. The hammer, percussion nipple and breech block show minimal flash pitting. The stock and forearm are in very good condition with light-moderate handling wear. This is a very good example of a Civil War production DST Sharps New Model 1859 rifle in the same configuration used by the famous Berdan's Sharpshooters.