This is an example of 1 of just 3,000 Sharps Model 1855 carbines with an 19 inch barrel sold to the British Government. Most of these British carbines are lost since they were used in the burgeoning British Empire in the 19th century. A few are believed to have been sold back to the United States and used during the Civil War (most of those would have also been well worn or destroyed in the process). A British "crown/3" proof is marked on the upper tang along with the three-line 1848 Sharps patent marking and serial number. The primer door is marked "EDWARD MAYNARD/PATENTEE 1845." Blade front sight, four leaf rear sight (3-folding, 1-fixed), smooth forearm and straight grip stock and brass buttplate and patch box. The right side of the buttstock is stamped "A/J/1868." The buttplate tang is marked "2/DG/34." The marking indicates issue to the Dragoon Guards.

Fair. The carbine has an artificial brown-gray patina with areas of polishing/sanding marks overall. The brass has a smooth dark aged patina. The wood is poor with some missing slivers on the forend tip, couple minor cracks and some minor to moderate pressure dents and scratches. Mechanically fine.