The Sharps Model 1852 was the earliest Sharps having the distinctive relief contoured "slanting breech" on the frame. Another key feature distinctive to the 1852 is the retaining spring on the right rear section of the forearm securing the lever hinge pin. Approximately 600 of the Sporting Rifles were produced. This rifle is equipped with a heavy octagon barrel with a brass blade front sight and a "squirrel ear" rear sight with an adjustable Sharps sporting tang rear sight mounted to the tang. The barrel is marked "SHARPS RIFLE / MANUFR CO / HARTFORD CONN" behind the rear sight, The upper tang is marked "C. SHARPS / PATENT". The serial number is marked on the upper tang and the matching number is marked on the bottom of the barrel and inside of the patch box door . The forearm is smooth with a pewter forend cap and the stock is straight grip. An additional set of sling swivels have been added to the under side of the forearm and buttstock.

Very good. All of the hardware has been cleaned at some time and now has a light gray patina with some areas of speckled brown. The action, lock and lever have been polished bright during period of usage and have toned to a light brown. The patch box is grey with even light pitting. The sporting tang sight shows a brilliant fire blue, so may be a replacement or refinished. The stock has some nice figure in the comb and shows light to moderate handling marks and compression dents. Mechanically fine, the bore shows light pitting in the breech with the balance strong and bright.