GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
EXTREMELY FINE MODEL 1853 "JOHN BROWN" SHARPS CARBINE - ONE OF THE FINEST OF ITS TYPE.SHARPS18531891152 Bbl. 21-1/2". This is a standard Model 1853 Sharps carbine in which about 10,000 were made between 1854-1858. Many of these slant breech Sharps saw service during the Civil War, both North and South, by "Border Ruffians" and anti-slavery zealots in Kansas during the tumultuous time before the Civil War when Kansas was "Bloody Kansas". John Brown made this model most famous when he raided Harper's Ferry in an attempt to cause a slave rebellion in America. This particular gun has standard markings associated with this model. Bbl. marked "Sharps Rifle/Manufg. Co. /Hartford Conn". Tang marked "Sharps/Patent/1848" and serial number "18911" and matching serial number on bbl. Lockplate is marked "Sharps/Patent/1852". This is an especially fine gun that has sub-inspector initials "JPC" stamped in wood opposite lock and single inspector letters externally on buttstock and top of Bbl. breech. This same sub-inspector initials "JPC" are found on another carbine SN 17861 with inspector's cartouche "RHKW" which no doubt was one of the 250 very rare martials referred to in Flayderman, George Moller in volume III, pg. 228 American Military Shoulder Arms states these guns were issued to the First Regiment of Dragoons as experimental arms in the Pacific Dept. We can't state this gun is a martial for sure, however sub-inspector marks indicate some military use. This gun retains most of its orig finish. Similar examples are rarely offered or encountered and this is certainly one of the finest examples extant. CONDITION: Bbl. retains about most of its slightly thinning blued finish with remainder a mottled plum/blue with areas of staining and light thinning. Frame retains 30-40% muted case colors. Brass mounts are smooth with mustard colored patina. Stocks are sound, well fit with some raised grain, though superb overall. Inspector's initials are crisp and easily read. The bolt face appears nearly unmarked leading one to believe this was a scantly used gun. Mechanically, gun functions well including pellet priming system. Bore is bright and crisp with a pit or two. 49632-2 JS (12,500-17,500)