This Sharps Model 1850 Rifle was manufactured for Christian Sharps by A.S. Nippes in Mill Creek Pennsylvania. Approximately 150 examples of the Model 1850 Rifle were manufactured. One of John Brown's Model 1850 Sporting Rifle, no serial number but by Robertson-Simpson, is in the Smithsonian and was reportedly left at the cabin of a friend before his famous raid on Harpers Ferry. Another, serial number 2 assembled by Penfield and previously sold by our company, is also documented as attributed to John Brown. Both of the rifles were in the Brooks Collection and then the United States Cartridge Co. Collection. It is also possible this rifle was owned by Brown, one of his sons, or one of his followers as we know they were fond of Sharps firearms. The Model 1850 Sharps Rifle can be distinguished from the preceding Model 1849 by the Maynard priming mechanism on the right side of the breech and are among the first commercial breech loading firearms and are part of the lineage of famous Sharps breech loading rifles. This rifle has a full-octagon, 32-caliber barrel. The underside of the barrel has a wiping rod channel and a single iron ramrod pipe. The barrel is fitted with a dovetail mounted, nickel-silver front sight blade and dovetail mounted sporting style rear sight. The underside of the barrel, face of the receiver, end of the stock where it meets the receiver, hammer and inside the front of the forearm are all stamped with the serial number "1". In addition, several of the parts have assembly numbers of "1B" and "1E". The parts are marked as follows: breechblock "1", breechblock link, loading lever, and screw "B1", lower tang "B1 and E1", patch box cover and plate "B1", backside of lock plate "B1", prime door "1", underside of the receiver and upper tang "B1 and E1". The receiver has the prominent Maynard primer mechanism on the breech and curved lock plate. The top of the breech is roll-stamped: "SHARPS/PATENT/1848" in three lines. The primer door is roll-stamped: "MAYNARDS"S/PATENT/1845" in three lines. No other markings are visible on the breech, lock plate, or barrel. The rifle has the distinctive iron trigger guard beneath the breech-lever. The flared walnut forearm is attached by a screw and a wedge and has an iron forearm cap. The walnut stock has the same style iron patch box as the Model 1849 Rifle and is fitted with a curved iron buttplate. The rifle has a hickory wiping rod with iron tip. Over the life time of this Sharps rifle it has been converted from a 36 caliber to a 44 Metallic cartridge and then back to a 32 caliber. Formerly of the Frank and Karen Sellers collection.

Fair. The rifle shows heavy use. The barrel has an even brown patina the left side of the receiver and front tip of the hammer both show clear evidence of having been reconverted back into its original configuration that utilizes the Maynard tape primer system. The front sight and rear sight elevator are replacements. The breech and lock plate have faded to a gray-brown patina. The Sharps markings on the top of the breech are faint. The Maynard markings on the primer door are clear; the primer mechanism is complete and function and is fitted with a roll of tape primers. The upper tang shows evidence of having been repaired with the stock in fair overall condition; there are two repaired cracks in the wrist and a third, older repair in the heel below the patch box. Aside from the cracks the stock shows only light to moderate handling wear. The patch box and buttplate are free from pitting and mottled, gray-brown, patina. This is a rarely encountered and very desirable example of a historically significant Sharps Model 1850 Rifle.