This is one of only 400 produced according to the estimates in Flayderman's Guide, making it one of the scarcest of all Sharps productions arms. The Model 1851 is easily identified by its hammer mounted inside of the lock plate. These sporting rifles generally saw hard use by pioneers in the West. This example has a blade front sight, elevation adjustable notch rear sight, Maynard primer and a sight base on the upper tang. The primer door has the Maynard patent marking, the top barrel flat has the Sharps two line address, and the upper tang has the three line Sharps patent marking and serial number. Mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with brass patch box and buttplate.

Fair. The rifle has an overall smooth artificial brown patina with areas of darker patina. There is some minor pitting. The wood is good with a visible repaired cracked wrist (screw on left side) and forearm with large missing chip and some minor pressure dents and scratches. Mechanically good.