This model was redesigned by Richard S. Lawrence and William Jones based on a model submitted by Christian Sharps. The changes made without consultation with Sharps are part of what led to him leaving the company that bore his name. Estimates vary for how many Model 1851 sporting rifles were manufactured by Robbins & Lawrence in Windsor, Vermont, for Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Co. in 1852-1855. Noted Sharps researcher Frank Sellers estimated 193 manufactured within the 1-2050 range in "Sharps Firearms" and with just 30 estimated with round barrels in this caliber (identified by Sellers as 60 bore) without embellishment. Sellers also notes that nearly half of the sporting rifles had double set triggers and half had single triggers like this one and various barrel lengths were available further decreasing the number in this configuration. It has a brass front sight, adjustable "squirrel ear" notch rear sight, tang peep sight hole (sight absent), "ROBBINS &/ LAWRENCE" on top of the barrel in the breech section, the matching serial number on the bottom of the barrel, matching number on the inside of the smooth forearm which does not have a nose cap, "EDWARD MAYNARD/PATENTEE/1845" on the primer door, "C. SHARPS PATENT/1848" followed by the serial number on the upper tang, and a smooth buttstock with brass buttplate and patch box with the matching serial number on the back of the door. This was the last model before the Sharps rifles and carbines began taking their classic shape and is an important early variation. This model was also the first Sharps used by the U.S. military.

Very good with mottled gray and brown patina, some minor pitting, mild tool marks on the sides of barrel, deep reddish patina on the patch box, dark aged patina on the buttplate, mostly legible markings, old replacement front sight, general moderate dents and scrapes on the refinished wood, chip at the toe, splice along the right side of the forend, and minor chipping at the edges. Mechanically fine. This is a very attractive early Sharps that certainly looks like a gun that was carried out to the Old West and used for hunting and protection.