This .52 caliber Sharps New Model 1859 rifle falls in the reported serial range 36000-40000 of 600 "Egyptian Contract Rifle-Muskets" with a saber bayonet lug and guide, that were diverted to State of Connecticut at the beginning of the Civil War. These rifles were issued to Connecticut's 1st, 2nd and 4th Infantry Regiments and later reissued to the 8th, 11th and 14th. For additional information see "Sharps Firearms: The Percussion Era 1848-1865" by Roy Marcot. Iron blade front and Lawrence pattern ladder rear sight mounted on the blued barrel with three barrel bands. Casehardened barrel bands, receiver, hammer, trigger guard lever, lower tang, patchbox, and buttplate. Two piece walnut stock with iron patchbox. The left side ahead of the stock screw with a very faint edge of an illegible cartouche. Right side of the stock ahead of the patch box with illegible faint letters.

Good, with mostly smooth brown patina surfaces overall and a few very light patches of pitting. Stock is good as lightly period sanded and revarnished with scattered handling marks and light scratches, loss around the edges of the buttplate, chips and a mild dent at the toe. Mechanically excellent. A scarce example of an early Civil War Connecticut issued Sharps breech loading rifle-musket with an interesting backstory.