This pre-Civil War firearm, often referred to as the ‘John Brown’ model, is a single-shot, .52 caliber, breechloading carbine Model 1853 invented and patented by Hartford, Connecticut native Christian Sharps.  Presented here is an original early specimen of that engineering design. The Sharp’s Rifle Manufacturing Company in Hartford, Connecticut produced approximately 9,000 M1853 carbines during 1853-1854. The Model 1853 was called the John Brown model because some 200 hundred of them were purchased in 1856 by the Kansas Aid Committee of Massachusetts and then sent to Kansas to be turned over to the abolitionist Brown. 

This shoulder arm is in very good original condition and bears serial #9134 but it is not in the range of serial #s (13xxx) that were known to have been sent to Kansas for John Brown. 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 ‘backward’ toward the hammer on an angle to accommodate the sloping breech action. Breech tang is stamped in three lines “SHARPS  / PATENT  / 1848” with the serial number “9134” marked directly to the rear.  Barrel is clearly marked between the front sight and barrel band with “SHARP’S RIFLE  / MANUFG CO.  /  HARTFORD, CONN.” Bore is very good and will clean to bright.  The 5 3/8” long lockplate tang is stamped sharply with “SHARPS / PATENT / 1852” directly behind the hammer.  The Sharps pellet priming system is located in the upper froward area of the lockplate. Mechanics are strong and crisp.  Lockplate is fitted to a two-piece black walnut stock that includes a 15½” long shoulder stock with a high 9½” comb and a forend that is 10” long. 

Shoulder stock appears to have been refinished at one time. Stock exhibits no government inspector-marks at the sling bar area. Stock and forend are excellent with no cracks or chips, just normal dings from use or storage.  Lock screws are original. The iron sling bar with ring, strong and tight, extends 9½” forward from the receiver to the brass barrel band. The rear sight is the standard sliding elevation bar but is missing the slide bar. Brass front blade sight sits 5/8” from the muzzle.  Metal surfaces of the carbine exhibit a dark gray coloring along with slight surface oxidation marks and pinprick rusting.  Receiver appears to be touched up at one time. Barrel wears a plum-brown color. Carbine is fitted with brass furniture that includes the curved butt plate, patch box and barrel band.  Interior patch box door is stamped with a batch or assembly # “21”.  All brass wears a bronze patina. 

This type Model 1853 Sharps is the last of the sloping breech pellet primer Sharps carbines. A fine, original slant-breech Model 1853 carbine that would enhance any military arms collection.  

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