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Lot 3078:Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company 1851-Carbine 60

May 20th, 2011|Rock Island, IL

Lot 3078:Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company 1851-Carbine 60

May 20th, 2011|Rock Island, IL

Price Realized:

Estimated Price$20,000 - $40,000

Rare One of Only Ten Factory Engraved, Sharps Model 1851 Sporting Carbine

Engraved Sharps Model 1851 Sporting Carbine manufactured by Robins & Lawrence in Windsor, Vermont, between October 1852 and April 1855. The carbine has the distinctive Maynard priming mechanism. The receiver lacks the sling ring hole in the left side found on Model 1851 Sporting Carbines below serial number 900. "SHARPS FIREARMS" by Frank Sellers indicates that a total of 10 Model 1851 Sporting Carbines were manufactured with 60 barrels, engraved receivers, patch boxes and buttplates and varnished stocks and forearms. The carbine has a round, 60 bore barrel with brown finish secured by a brass barrel band. The receiver, hammer and lever have a casehardened finish. The patch box and buttplate and buttplate are brass. The walnut stock and forearm have a high polish varnish finish. The carbine is not fitted with the sling bar found on lower grade Model 1851 Carbines. The receiver, hammer, lever, patch box and buttplate are decorated with delicate and well-executed scroll engraving. The barrel has a folding Beach-type front sight and 'Squirrel Ear' rear sight. A folding leaf rear sight is mounted on a post on the receiver tang. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped "ROBBINS&/LAWRENCE" in two lines between the barrel band and rear sight. "C. SHARPS/PATENT/1848" is stamped in three lines on the upper tang followed by the serial number, "1776". The pellet primer door is roll-stamped: "EDWARD MAYNARD/PATENTEE/1845" in three lines and serial numbered "1776" on the inside.

ConditionFine. The carbine retains 40% of the original brown and 25% blue finish. The brown finish on the barrel has aged to an attractive deep brown patina. The markings are clear and metal surfaces are generally smooth with some roughness near the muzzle. The bore is bright. The Beach front sight is missing the post. The "Squirrel Ear" rear sight is complete and has traces of the original niter blue finish. The receiver, hammer, lever and primer door have faded to a mottled gray finish. Considerable amounts of casehardening remains in protected areas. There is some scattered and very light pitting on the sides of the receiver and lock plate. The top of the breechblock and hammer face show only traces of flash pitting. The engraving is crisp. The Maynard tape primer mechanism is complete and functional. The brass barrel band, patch box and buttplate have an attractive unpolished patina. The engraving on the patchbox and buttplate is sharp. The stock and forearm have moderate handling wear and are in good overall condition. There is a period repaired crack in the right side of the stock wrist that extends from the upper to lower receiver tang. The stock and forearm have most of the original high-polish varnish finish. This is a fine example of a rare factory engraved Sharps Model 1851 Sporting Carbine.

Details

ManufacturerSharps Rifle Manufacturing Company

Model1851-Carbine

TypeCarbine

Serial number

ClassAntique

Caliber / Gauge60

Barrel21 inch round

Finishbrown/blue

Stockwalnut

Item LocationRock Island, IL