One of approximately 6, 686 Model 1862 Sharps & Hankins purchased by the U.S. Navy between 1862-1865. The carbine features the unique leather barrel cover to protect the blue barrel from rust. The leather is secured by two screws at the breech and the anchor marking at the breech is clear and distinct. The frame is casehardened with the 2nd Model floating firing pin mounted in the recoil shield. The stock is an oil-finished walnut with a brass buttplate. The barrel has a pedestal mounted brass blade front sight, (worn or filed down) and a tangent rear sight graduated to 800 yards. The right side of the receiver is marked: "SHARPS/&/HANKINS/PHILADA" and the left side is marked: "SHARPS/PATENT/1859" followed by a "HKH". The serial number "4156" is located on the upper tang, "1158"on the lever bar and "1001 on the underside of the barrel and the underside of the frame under the lever. The carbine has no visible inspection proof or acceptance marks except for a small "M" on the stock between the lower tang and sling swivel base. Smooth straight grip stock with brass buttplate and a sling swivel.

Very good plus. The exposed metal surfaces, except the trigger guard and lower tang, have a smooth dark mottled patina. The trigger guard and lower tang appear to have been professionally refinished some time ago. There is a small amount of finished over pin prick type pitting on the tang and most of the finish remains. The buttplate has a nice aged patina. The original leather barrel covering is intact with some minor separation of the seam, degradation where covering meets the action and some minor age cracking, otherwise the leather is sound and retains most of its hard black finish. The stock is good plus with a repaired crack behind the upper tang on the right side and retains most of its old restored finish with scattered light handling marks. The markings are clear. Mechanically fine. This is a very good example of a hard to find these carbines with the original leather cover.