Manufactured by C. Sharps & Co. of Philadelphia circa 1857-1860, Sharps manufactured only about 600 of these Standard Model pistol-rifles, using the same action as the Sharps Breech-loading single shot pistol. What appears to be the serial number, "11" is stamped on the inside of the breech lever. "C. SHARPS/PATENT/18-52" is stamped on the right side of the receiver below the hammer. "C.SHARPS & CO'S/RIFLE WORKS/PHILA. PA" is roll-stamped in three lines on the left side of the receiver. The pistol-rifle has a brown-finished barrel with dovetail mounted nickel silver front sight blade, tube rear sight and a knurled ring at the muzzle like the Sharps large frame breech-loading pistols. The falling block action is designed for the "mule-ear" cartridge and is fitted with a pellet priming device. The receiver, lever, and hammer have a casehardened finish. The rifle is mounted with a smooth walnut forearm with iron tip and pistol grip stock with iron grip cap, patch box and buttplate. The cap box has a high polish blue finish. The stock and forearm have a varnished high polish finish. The rifle comes in a hinged lid wooden case lined with red felt. The case has six compartments, three of the compartments having wooden lids with bone handles. The case contains a steel .36 caliber single shot pistol bullet mold serial numbered "771", an empty rectangular tin Sharps primer box with a paper label that reads "SHARPS/PATENT PELLETS/OR PRIMERS/Patented June 28. 1853", and a glass container of wax. In addition to the rifle accessories the case contains a patent leather military belt with non-regulation two-piece gold plated eagle and shield/wreath buckle, a British style patent leather primer pouch and a rectangular patent leather Sharps cartridge box containing a cartridge tin with wooden blocks for eighteen loose cartridges and space in the lower portion of the tin for cartridge packets. The belt, cap pouch and cartridge box all fit in compartments. Manufactured in very limited numbers. Sharps pistol-rifles are scarce, unusual, and highly prized by advanced Sharps collectors. The pistol-rifle is accompanied by the original "Certificate of Recognition", (certificate number 9), Annual Meetings Exhibit Weapons Award from the NRA's 89th Annual Meeting held on March 20, 1960 in Washington D.C. The certificate is one of a maximum of ten awarded each year to weapons of outstanding historical value, beauty, or rarity as selected from displays of the NRA's Affiliated Gun Collector Organizations.

Very fine. The pistol-rifle retains 80% plus original brown finish on the barrel. There is some scattered pitting on the top and right side of the barrel near the muzzle. The case colors on the receiver and lever have faded to a smooth silver gray patina. The percussion nipple and breechblock are free of any flash pitting. The buttcap has a dark patina. The patch box retains 85% of the original bright blue finish with traces of surface rust. The buttplate has light-moderate pitting and with a dark brown patina. The wood is excellent retaining 90% of the high polish piano finish with scattered minor handling marks. The markings are clear. Mechanically fine. The case is fair. The exterior is heavily scratched and the velvet interior is faded and torn. The bullet mold is good. The primer tin is fair, the paper label is torn and discolored but legible. The belt, cap pouch and cartridge box are good to very good and appear to be unused with only storage wear. This is a rare award winning and unique example of a cased Standard Model Sharps pistol-rifle with shooting accessories, military belt, cap pouch, and cartridge box.