These early "Box Lock" rifles were manufactured by Robbins & Lawrence under contract with Sharps from November 1, 1852, until April 1, 1855. They are readily identifiable by their hammers mounted on the inside of the lock and by the rounded "slant breech" actions. This specific rifle is pictured and described on p. 108 of "Sharps Firearms: The Percussion Era 1848-1865" by Marcot, where it is noted that the barrel is marked Sharps rather than Robbins & Lawrence. It is theorized that this rifle, along with some other sporting rifles, were partially produced by Robbins & Lawrence and then later assembled/finished by Sharps. Richard S. Lawrence and William Jones were responsible for taking Christian Sharps prototype and modifying it for mass production. Most of these sporting rifles are believed to have seen hard use by pioneers in the West for hunting and defense, making the few surviving examples desirable in any condition. Only 53 were manufactured in this configuration with an octagon barrel, no engraving, and in 60 bore (.44 caliber). Many have naturally been lost or destroyed over the years. Similar rifles are pictured in "The Slant Breech Models" chapter of Sellers' "Sharps Firearms." Matching serial numbers are found on the upper tang, bottom of the barrel, and inside the primer door. The top of the barrel is marked with the Sharps Hartford address. The primer door has the "EDWARD MAYNARD/PATENTEE/1845" marking, and the upper tang has "C. SHARPS/PATENT/1848." It is fitted with a blade front sight and a modern made replacement adjustable "squirrel ear" notch rear sights. It also has a modern made replacement tang mounted peep sight base which is missing the entire sighting aperture. It is mounted with a smooth forearm with a German silver cap and a straight grip stock with a brass buttplate and patchbox on the right.

Fine, showing a mottled grey and brown patina overall, typical of a frontier used longarm, with some scattered patches of light surface pitting. The brass shows an attractively aged, natural patina. The wood is good with a couple minor cracks in the wrist, some minor edge chipping, and scattered minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent. A scarce Sharps Model 1851 rifle that likely survived the American Frontier!