This shoulder arm is a Civil War Model 1859 rifle made by the Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company of Hartford, Connecticut, circa 1859 to 1862. The percussion breechloading longarm is the straight-breech, single-shot model in .52 caliber and features an iron patchbox in the right side of the shoulder stock. Straight breech models were the most common type of Sharps rifles / carbines in production and were a definite improvement over the earlier slant breech versions. 

Rifle measures 46¾” long overall and features a 30” long round barrel mated to a two-piece, black walnut stock. Shoulder stock has been refinished and exhibits no government cartouches.  Full forend stock is secured to the barrel with three-barrel bands and the rifle.  Butt of stock has a 1” x 3” repair at the toe section. Barrel wears a dark brown / plum coloring overall with rust pitting patches along the upper top surface. Bore shows thin rifling with scattered peppery pitting overall. Receiver / breech area wears a smooth dark gray coloring with light pitting. The Sharps pellet priming mechanism is intact. No original colors on any gunmetal save for the pellet slide cut-off bar. Rifle has light areas of rust pitting visible at the breech, hammer, patchbox, and operating lever.  Breech drop block shows wear and age.  Serial #40114 is located to the rear of receiver tang. All markings on the weapon are clear. This Sharps New Model 1859 rifle was fitted to accept the Sharps angular socket bayonet and has no bottom barrel lug.  

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