The Model 1853 Slanting Breech Carbine was also known as the "John Brown Model" and was manufactured by Robbins and Lawrence, Windsor, Vermont for the Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Co. until October of 1856 and produced by Sharps thereafter. The Model 1853 was manufactured from 1854 through 1857 with approximately 10,500 produced. This is a very early model with the brass patch box, barrel band and buttplate. The lock is marked "SHARPS/PATENT/1852", (faint), and the upper tang is marked "SHARPS/PATENT/1848" followed by the serial number. The matching serial number is marked on the upper tang, inside the patch box door, inside toe of the buttplate and bottom of the barrel under the forearm. The inside of the patch box door and the inside toe of the buttplate are also marked with the number "24". These Model 1853s can be distinguished from the Model 1852 by the small spring retained stud mounted on the right side of the frame to retain the lever hinge pin, although according to the Sharps Manufacturing Company the Model 1852 and 1853 were the same model with the former being totally made in Windsor, Vermont. The lock is equipped with the Sharps pellet primer mounted on the lock, small brass blade front sight and the rear sight has a fixed "v" notch with two folding leafs on the front and rear. There is a saddle ring bar with ring attached to the left side of the barrel band and receiver. Mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a faint boxed cartouche on the left wrist and carbine buttplate. Reportedly 250 were purchased by the U.S. Government (102 of which were used at the John Brown Raid), making this a very rare specimen!

Very good plus. The metal surfaces have a smooth mottled brown patina. The brass has an aged patina. The wood is fine with some scattered minor dings, dents and scratches. The markings are faint, but legible. The action is fine.