VERY GOOD CONDITION M1853 SHARPS ‘SLANT BREECH’ CARBINE WITH UNUSUAL DOUBLE-SET TRIGGERS

$3,200.00 SOLD

Quantity Available: None

Item Code: 753-04

This pre-Civil War carbine, often referred to as the ‘John Brown’ model, is a single-shot, .52 caliber, breechloading Model 1853 shortarm invented and patented by Hartford, Connecticut native Christian Sharps. Presented here is an original very good, standard early specimen of that engineering design. The R. S. Lawrence Co of Windsor, VT produced these carbines for Sharp’s Rifle Manufacturing Company from November 1854 until December 1856. Production then transferred to the Hartford, Connecticut facility until 1858. A total of approximately 10,500 M1853 carbines were made. Called the John Brown model because upwards of 900 hundred of them were purchased in 1856 by the “Emigrant Aid Society” of Massachusetts and sent to Kansas to be turned over to the abolitionist Brown.

This carbine is in fine original condition and bears serial #23388. The 7 pound, 10 oz carbine is rifled with six lands / grooves and measures some 37½” long overall. Its round barrel is 21½” long and mates to a breech that slants ‘back’ at an angle. Receiver tang is stamped in three lines “SHARPS / PATENT / 1848” with the serial number “23388” marked directly to the rear. Barrel is marked between the front sight and barrel band with “SHARP’S RIFLE / MANUFG CO. / HARTFORD, CONN.” Bore is strong but has scattered areas of rust pitting. Should clean up to semi-bright.

Lockplate is stamped with “SHARPS / PATENT / 1852” directly behind the hammer. Date is thin but visible. The Sharps pellet priming system is located in the upper froward area of the lockplate. The double-set trigger assembly is was a feature added at extra cost to the original buyer. Mechanics are crisp. Lockplate is fitted to a two-piece black walnut stock that includes a 15½” long butt stock with a high 9½” comb and a forend that is 10” long. Stock and forend appear never to have been cleaned. Left shoulder stock exhibits few very light, thin surface cracks to the wood from drying. No chipping. Has no government inspector-marks or cartouches. All lock screws are original and in good condition. Iron sling bar and ring is strong and tight. Carbine has a folding, sliding elevation bar rear sight while the brass blade front sight sits ¾” from the muzzle.

Metal surfaces of the carbine show a dark, mottled gray coloring along with moderate pitting and some surface oxidation marks. Carbine is fitted with brass furniture that includes the curved butt plate, patch box and barrel band. Interior patch box door is stamped with serial # 23388 and assembly # “65”. All brass wears a pleasing, uncleaned bronze patina. This type Model 1853 Sharps is the last of the sloping breech pellet primer Sharps carbines. A very fine, original slant-breech Model 1853 carbine, it would certainly fit into and enhance any military arms display or collection.

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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