Sharps New Model 1863 Carbine

American Civil War

.52 caliber. 20" round barrel secured by a single spring-retained barrel band. SN: C,25325. Blued and color casehardened finish, iron furniture, walnut stock and smooth walnut forend. Single shot percussion falling block breechloading carbine with military ladder rear sight, German silver front sight blade in iron base and sling bar and ring opposite lock. Lock marked in two lines behind the hammer SHARPS' PAT./OCT 5th 1852. Lock additionally marked at the top behind the primer mechanism RS LAWRENCE PAT/APRIL 12th 1859. Reverse of breechblock marked C SHARPS' PAT/SEPT 12th, 1849. Barrel marked NEW MODEL 1863 between the rear sight and the breech, and SHARPS RIFLE/MANUFG CO/HARTFORD CONN forward of the rear sight in three lines. Left of wrist with two weak and not really legible script cartouches above and below the sling bar. This gun was not listed by serial number in the Springfield Research Service serial number books, but a Sharps Carbine only 2 numbers away, #C,25327 was issued to Company L of the 2nd Arkansas Volunteer Cavalry (US). The Sharps Carbine was the most used carbine of the American Civil War and one of the most popular according to the field reports. No collection of Civil War arms is complete without one. {ANTIQUE}

From the Lifetime Collection of Robert G. Paulsen

This lot is located in Cincinnati.