April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
Research indicates that the U.S. military received 175 of these carbines for the 1st and 2nd US Dragoons of Texas and New Mexico. This carbine was very popular with the dragoon units. This breechloader used the Maynard Tape primer system and featured brass buttplate and barrel band, iron frame, barrel, and hammer. This is an important collector piece as the first Sharps made as a military arm. You can plainly see the two cartouche stamps on left side wrist of stock. One cartouche reads for J.C.B. for Joseph C. Bragg, who inspected for Robins and Lawrence, other stamp is too faded to read. Top of the barrel is stamped Robins and Lawrence. Top tang has Sharps Patent 1848. Primer cover stamped "Edward Maynard Patented 1846." This model came standard with brass patchbox, which is also stamped 1202. It is missing the long sling bar and screw from frame. There is no US, SK, or P on barrel nor a US stamped on top of buttplate, all of which would be seen on a military rifle. Serial number 1209 is in the range of civilian carbines but in the style of a military carbine. Distribution of this particular carbine is impossible to determine. Civilian carbines start at 1050 and run through to 1415. CONDITION: Primer cover missing locking screw. Metal is a pleasing mix of blue and brown patina while receiver is a bit more grey with some age freckling. Buttstock has a few usual impressions but is in very good condition with some chipping at back of sideplate. Forearm has a couple of cracks and a two nail home repair at bottom where it meets the frame. Fine action with a strong rifled bore, well defined, with usual blackpowder abrasion. Front sight taken down a smidge. It is missing the rear sight, retaining only the base. All 175 carbines saw heavy use in Texas and New Mexico and are basically never found with any condition. Listed as shipment destinations include 80 to the San Antonio Depot in Texas, 30 to Fort Union in New Mexico and 5 to Las Lunas in New Mexico. In examining the survey of existing serial numbers, this number is not on list, although only 82 serial numbers have been recorded to date. These carbines are extremely rare with 1857 made in all variations to include sporting, military, sporting rifle, standard carbine, and Army & Navy carbines. We will probably never know where this was sent but it probably saw action and use as the majority ended up out West. Gun has the beautiful battle-worn eye appeal and has never been cleaned, ground, or otherwise tampered with. CORRECTION: Upon further inspection, we have found an inspector's stamp "J" on the left side of the barrel just in front of the breech.
Caliber/Bore
.52 Percussion