This solid original Sharps Model 1859 rifle was manufactured in 1862. This three-band rifle has a brass blade front sight mounted on a block that serves as a stud for a socket bayonet, short folding leaf rear sight with 800 yard center notch, integral Sharps pellet primer on the lock and casehardened iron patch box. Sling swivels are mounted on the stock and center barrel band. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped "SHARPS RIFLE/MANUFG. CO./HARTFORD CONN." in three lines ahead of the rear sight. "NEW MODEL 1859" is roll-stamped between the rear sight and the receiver. The left side of the receiver has the two-line C. Sharps 1848 patent marking. "C. SHARPS' PAT./OCT. 5th 1852." is roll stamped on the right side of the lock plate behind the hammer and "R.S.LAWRENCE' PAT/APRIL 12th 1859" is stamped below the pellet primer directly behind the hammer. The serial number "40059" is stamped on the upper receiver tang. There are no visible Ordnance inspection marks on the left stock wrist and no Ordnance Sub-inspection marks on the barrel, hammer or other components. Sharps breechloading rifles and carbines were popular and widely issued during the Civil War. About 9,000 Sharps New Model rifles were purchased by the Ordnance Department for issue to Federal forces. Other Sharps rifles were privately purchased by individual Federal soldiers.

Very good plus. The barrel is polished bright and the protected areas underneath the barrel bands are bright (polishing blued barrels of Enfield and Sharps rifles was common to present a uniform appearance with "National Armory Bright" finished Springfield rifle muskets). The barrel has aged to a smooth silver-gray patina. The case colors on the receiver, hammer, lever, patch box and buttplate have aged to a muted, gray patina. Traces of the original case colors are visible in protected areas. There is some scattered age spotting on the patch box and buttplate. The case colors on the barrel bands and forearm tip have aged to a brown patina. The markings on the barrel and receiver are crisp. The Sharps pellet primer is complete. The walnut stock and forearm are in very good overall condition with scattered, minor handling marks and one deeper bruise in the right side of the stock above the patch box. The sling swivel is missing from the middle barrel band. The rifle shows wear that is to be expected from a weapon that was issued and carried during the Civil War but was well cared for and not abused. This is a very good original example of a Civil War Sharps Model 1859 rifle.