Manufactured from 1852 to 1855 with a total production of about 1,857, some of which were sold on U.S. Army and U.S. Navy contracts. This particular carbine is a civilian "Sporting" carbine. They were known as the "Box Lock" Carbine and were made by Robbins & Lawrence for Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Co. and carried the Sharps name. This is a breech loading 52 caliber percussion carbine that uses a Maynard tape primer contained under a hinged trapdoor on the front of the lock. This model is easily distinguished by the hammer which is mounted inside the lock. The upper tang is marked "C SHARPS/PATENT/1848" followed by the serial number, and the primer cover is marked "EDWARD MAYNARD/PATENTEE/1845". The inside of the patch box lid has a non-matching number of "1208." It has the correct brass blade front sight, folding "squirrel ear" rear sight and saddle ring bar with ring. There is a single brass barrel band and brass patch box and buttplate which are also characteristics of the Sporting Carbine. Mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock.

Very good. The carbine has a mixture of smooth dark and mottled brown-gray patinas with the barrel retaining streaks of original blue finish. The wood is good with a number of minor to moderate pressure dents and scratches. A section of wood is missing near the upper receiver tang. The action needs work as the hammer does not hold at the half cock position.