The Sharps Model 1853 is one of the most iconic firearms of the often violent antebellum era and was famously used by John Brown and his abolitionist allies in Bleeding Kansas and his raid on Harpers Ferry. Early Sharps rifles like this factory sporting rifle helped establish breech loading firearms in the U.S. and led to Sharps rifles and carbines being among the most significant firearms of the Civil War era and the settlement of the West after the war. Approximately 2,970 Model 1853 Sporting Rifles were manufactured between 1854-1859 in a variety of configurations. On page 49 of "Sharps Firearms" by Frank Sellers, only 603 Plain Model 1853 Sporting Rifles with 90 bore (approximately .38 caliber) octagon barrels are noted to have been manufactured. Blade front sight and absent ladder rear sight. "SHARP'S RIFLE/MANUFG. CO./HARTFORD CONN." marked on top of the barrel, "SHARPS/PATENT/1848" marked on top of the receiver ahead of the serial number, and "SHARP'S/PATENT/1852" marked on the lock. The "SHARP'S" markings on the barrel and lock are noted variations seen on many of the Model 1853 rifles and was created by a mistake of the man who cut the stamps, and was corrected later in the production of this model. The matching serial number "20541" is marked underneath the barrel, on the inside channel of the forearm, and on the receiver tang. Pewter forend cap, brass patch box, and lightly curved brass buttplate. Absent primer feed cover.