Lot 1095: Civil War Sharps New Model 1859 Breech Loading Military Rifle

Offered here is a Sharps Model 1859 military rifle with barrel lug for a saber bayonet. The U.S. Army contracted for 1,500 Model 1859 with saber bayonets and the U.S. Navy purchased 2,800 Model 1859 rifles with saber bayonets. All of these rifles were issued and saw extensive service during the Civil War. The three band rifle has an iron patch box, unaltered Lawrence pellet primer and Lawrence patent folding leaf rear sight with 800 yard center notch. There are sling swivels on the stock and middle barrel band. The right side plate is roll-stamped "C. SHARPS' PAT./OCT.5th 1852" behind the hammer and "R.S. LAWRENCE' PAT./APRIL 12th 1859." below the pellet primer. "C. SHARPS PAT./SEPT. 12th 1848" is stamped on the left side of the receiver. The two-line Sharp's legend is stamped on the top of the barrel between the lower barrel band and the rear sight. "NEW MODEL 1859" is stamped between the rear sight and the receiver, and the rear sight base has Lawrence patent markings. The serial number "40805" is stamped on the upper receiver tang. Three script letter cartouches are found on the left side of the wrist, and there is a single DFC script letter cartouche on the left side of the buttstock. The underside of the forearm near the receiver has the inspector initials "AWM." The inspector initials "MNM" are found on the buttstock hear the buttplate tang. The underside of the buttstock has a single letter "P" near the lower tang.

Very good as assembled. The rifle has a smooth brown-gray patina overall. The barrel bands, lower tang, buttplate and patch box retain 60% original case colors. There is minor pitting on the breechblock. The replacement wood is fine with a few very scattered minor handling marks. The cartouches are crisp. Mechanically excellent.