Sharps Model 1853 Sporting Rifle manufactured between 1854 and 1856. This rifle is pictured and described on page 103 of "STEEL CANVAS" by R.L. Wilson. The rifle is pictured with the original wooden shipping box and accessories. The box lid is stamped with the owner's name and address: "FERDINAND RHOADS / SHAMOKIN / NORTHUMBERLAND CO PENNA.". The rifle is decorated with dense Germanic scroll engraving on a punch-dot background. An oval game scene is engraved on the center of the patch box and a hunter with rifle is engraved on the left side of the receiver. The engraving covers the receiver, lock plate, hammer, upper and lower tangs, lever, patch box, buttplate heel and extends to the top barrel flats behind the rear sight. The edge of the muzzle is engraved with a wave border. The Sharps patent markings on the receiver and lock plate are engraved with double line borders. Wilson states that the rifle engraving was executed by Gustave Young's shop. (The hammer has nine dots stamped on the spin, which was a method used by Gustave Young to denote the level of embellishment. He also did this on Colt Revolvers.) The consignor notes that only four Model 1853 Sporting Rifles were made with 'Extra Engraving'. The rifle has a heavy, 90 bore/.40 caliber, full octagon barrel. The barrel has a dovetail mounted front sight with brass blade and folding leaf rear sight. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the three-line legend: "SHARP'S RIFLE / MANUFG.CO. / HARTFORD CONN.". The 'slant breech' receiver tang is fitted with the early style folding tang rear sight secured by a single screw. The rifle has a single set trigger. The lock plate is stamped: "C.SHARPS / PATENT / 1852" with an engraved border. The left side of the receiver is stamped: "C.SHARPS / PATENT / 1848" in three lines with engraved border. The serial number, "8421" is located on the upper tang and surrounded by an engraved border. The matching number "8421" is also stamped on the barrel under the (also matching numbered) forearm. The stock and forearm are straight grain black walnut with a varnish finish. The forearm is fitted with a pewter tip. The rifle barrel is browned and the receiver, lock plate, lever, patch box and buttplate have a casehardened finish.