Included with this carbine are a folder of research documents. One set are a copies of pages from the book Civil War Sharps Carbines & Rifles by Coates and McAulay which identify this carbine as having been issued to "Clarke I" of B Company in 1st California Cavalry. Other copies of documents including his enlistment papers detail his service. A description of the unit's service during the war notes that the vast majority of their service consisted of "scouting, patrol, and picket duty" in the Southwest and that they suffered many losses in combat with the Apache and other hostile Indians in the region. In November of 1864, Clark's Company along with Companies K and M under the command of none other than Kit Carson set out on an expedition against the Kiowa and Comanche. The force suffered a loss of 2 men killed and 7 wounded in an engagement with the Kiowa that resulted in 60 of their adversaries killed or wounded. The top of the barrel is marked "SHARPS RIFLE/MANUFG. CO./HARTFORD CONN." ahead of the rear sight and "NEW MODEL 1863" at the breech. The lock is marked "C. SHARPS' PAT./OCT. 5TH 1852" and "R.S. LAWRENCE' PAT/APRIL 12TH 1859". The right side of the receiver is marked "C. SHARPS PAT/SEPT. 12TH 1848". It has a blade front sight and folding ladder rear sight with Lawrence patent marked base and ladder graduated to 800 yards. It is mounted with a smooth walnut stock and forearm with a single barrel band, saddle ring bar (ring absent), and carbine style iron buttplate.

Good. The carbine has a mottled gray-brown patina with some traces of the original case colors near the hammer. There are patches of oxidation and some minor pitting especially on the buttplate. The wood is also good with an exceptionally long crack present in the comb and forearm and otherwise only light scratches and a few dings. The action remains excellent, and the markings are mostly clear. There are no visible inspection marks or cartouches.