This rifle was originally configured as an "Army Carbine" when it was invoiced on June 14, 1872, to Walter Cooper of Bozeman, Montana Territory. The factory letter lists it in .50-70 with a 22 inch round barrel, double set triggers (plain single was standard), open sights, and oil-finished stocks and noted it and the four other carbines in the shipment as "fancy." in the records and priced $4 higher. The order also included 20 rifles in three different configurations and was valued at $853. These were the only five carbines ordered by Cooper and are a small percentage of the 516 Sharps shipped by the factory to Montana. It is somewhat similar to the short barreled sporting rifle (number CL123) shown in Frank Seller's book "Sharps Firearms" which lists just 500 carbines, 100 military rifles, and 50 sporting rifles as estimated to have been manufactured during the New Model 1869's short production run. These rare firearms bridge the gap between the earlier New Model percussion rifles and the popular Model 1874. The frames were still cut for the earlier percussion style hammer, but the distinctive thick lock plate has no provisions for a primer and is equipped with a cartridge hammer that does not strike as far forward as the percussion hammers. The round barrel has a nickel-silver blade front sight in a fixed base, the three-line Hartford address, an interesting notch and Lawrence patent folding ladder rear sight arrangement, "CALIBRE 50/NEW MODEL 1869" on top at the breech, and the matching serial number on the bottom. The lock has "SHARPS RIFLE MFG. CO./HARTFORD. CONN./1" (Seller's indicates lock markings are rare on New Model 1869s), and the left side of the frame has the usual Sharps patent marking. It is equipped with adjustable double set triggers. The forearm has a pewter cap, and the buttstock has the standard lightly curved steel buttplate.

Very good as frontier issued with tremendous character and grit that can only be observed from a life well lived and well cared for with mostly dark brown and gray patina throughout, patches of blood pitting on the barrel. The wood shows equal character. Mechanically excellent. This is an incredibly rare, documented, western shipped Sharps New Model 1869 carbine in non-standard "fancy" configuration. Provenance: The John Fox Collection.