This impressive Sharps carbine was featured on the cover of Vol. 28, No. 1 of "Man at Arms" from the National Rifle Association and is discussed in Ed Lewis's article within and was also discussed in the "SCA Report" in the Summer 2001 issue in an article by Tom Seymour. The rifle is one of just 38 "60 bore" octagon barrel Model 1853 Sporting Rifles with extra fine engraving based on the chart on page 49 of "Sharps Firearms" by Frank Sellers. It has a globe front sight, notch and folding ladder rear sight (no elevator), "SHARPS RIFLE/MANUFG. CO./HARTFORD CONN" on top of the barrel, scroll engraving at the breech, engraved borders at the muzzle and breech, "9505" and "E" on the bottom of the barrel, "9505" at the rear of the forearm, additional scroll engraving on the action components as well as the patch box and buttplate, a scene of a hunter with a rifle and dog seated beneath a tree on the left side of the frame, "SHARPS/PATENT/1848" on the left side of the frame at the rear, "E" on the lower left of the frame, adjustable double set triggers, "SHARP'S/PATENT/1852" on the lock (the apostrophe is seen on Model 1853s up to around serial number 19000), tang mounted peep sight secured by a single screw (early style), a vignette on the patch box lid of a bird on a tree (either a bald eagle or a vulture/buzzard), pewter forearm cap, and the silver shield shaped plaque discussed below fitted on the left side of the buttstock. The engraving was likely executed by Gustave Young and can be compared to the Paris Exhibition Model 1853 rifle on page 51 of "Sharps Firearms." The silver plaque is inscribed "Presented by the/STUDENTS/in the/COL. & COM. INSTITUTE./to their Military Instr/LIEUT LYMAN BISSELL U.S.A/1855." It was presented to Lieutenant Lyman Bissell (1812-1888) by the students of the Collegiate & Commercial Institute in New Haven where he was the military drill instructor. The institute was a military college preparatory school near Yale. Among its graduates were many Civil War officers and politicians as well as Winchester Repeating Arms Co. President Thomas Bennett and William Wirt Winchester (Oliver Winchester's son). One of Bissell's grandfathers fought in the French & Indian War, and his father fought in the War of 1812. He mustered into service for the Mexican-American War on February 24, 1847, first as a lieutenant and later as a captain in the 9th Infantry. He mustered out on August 26, 1848. He then served in Company A Light Artillery within the 2nd Regiment of Connecticut Militia. Bissell was appointed as First Lieutenant in the 9th Infantry on March 3, 1855, (the same day Congress funded the expansion of the U.S. Army by two regiments of infantry and two cavalry regiments). The exact date of the presentation is not given, but the year given, his new appointment as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and thus his departure from the school for service in the West would make presentation by his students around the date of his appointment logical. His older rank was captain, so the presentation appears to have come after his re-appointment. Also note that it lists him within the U.S. service not Connecticut militia which he was active in up to he appointment as lieutenant in the 9th. Though previously listed elsewhere as likely presented in relation to his protection of the Collegiate & Commercial Institute from attack during the Town & Gown Riot in 1854, it was Yale, not the CCI, that was threatened with cannons by the town folk during the riot. He and the 9th left for the northwest in December 1855 and served during the Yakima War in the Oregon and Washington territories in which U.S. troops fought the Yakama and other Northwest tribes as a result of illegal trespassing by gold prospectors which led to bloodshed. He was oversaw the bridging of a river "with no tools but axes and no material but green poplar saplings and rope mule halters" (see "The Yakima Indian War: 1855-1856" by William Norbert Bischoff). He served as Regimental Quartermaster of the 9th from September 1, 1858, until his promotion to Captain on March 15, 1861. He was promoted to Major in the 11th Infantry on March 4, 1864. After the Civil War, Bissell was transferred to 29th Infantry. He then transferred back to the 11th Infantry on March 15, 1869, when the 29th was disbanded and retired at the end of the following year. His son, Dr. Evelyn Lyman Bissell, was a student at the Collegiate & Commercial Institute and then Yale, where he completed his medical training in 1860, and subsequently served as a surgeon within the Connecticut volunteers during the Civil War. Comes with Tom Seymour’s extensive dossier on this historic rifle. Seymour’s collection of papers was compiled while he was conducting research for his article in the “SCA Report” and includes research inquiries to libraries and other institutions dedicated to the preservation and record keeping of America’s past, photocopies of various primary and secondary sources such as military records and period newspapers that establish Bissell’s biography, research notes, and a letter from the noted late Sharps expert and author Frank Sellers that authenticates the rifle. The related “SCA Report” and “Man at Arms” issues previously mentioned are also included.

Very good plus with mostly dark brown patina throughout, thin original brown finish on the bottom of the barrel where it is protected by the forearm, strong original niter blue on the breechblock, some traces of original case colors in the protected areas, replacement hammer (not engraved), mild pitting mainly along the length of the barrel, distinct engraving, attractive natural aged patina on the silver plaque which has attractive natural aged patina, and general mild wear throughout. The wood is fine and has moderate dents and scrapes, some darker streaks, a chip and crack at the toe, and significant original finish. Mechanically fine. This is a very attractive and historical presentation Sharps rifle. These early "slant breech" rifles really stand out, and engraved specimens are very difficult to find, let alone Model 1853s with presentation inscriptions. Provenance: The John Fox Collection.