April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
Manufactured from 1856-1857, total quantity under 800. Features brass buttplate, patchbox, and single barrel band. 1855s were originally finished with blued barrel with case colored frame, breech block, lock, lever, trigger plate, and lever latch, walnut two-piece stocks. Has Lawrence type ladder rear sight and blade front sight. No markings on lock. No markings on tang. No markings on left side of frame, no markings on barrel. Small "JH" stamp on left side of barrel. No number on underside of forearm. Underneath buttplate is stamped either 89 or 68. Has sling bar and ring. Fitted with the Edward Maynard Atentee 1845 automatic primer system, numbered 396 with a 7 stamped in the well. Barrel has matching serial number to tang. There is no evidence that any markings were ground off or removed and we have never seen a Sharps carbine in any condition with a complete deficit of stamps. There are several inspectors for using "JH" stamps but none are listed as having any inspections on Sharps carbines. "JH" would indicate military markings but with no other markings or stock cartouche and rifle in good condition, there is no verifiable reason for this carbine to exist. Experimental? Test trial? There is no doubt to it being old, original, or an 1855 style US carbine. The only other option for this rifle is being a "lunchbox special" and taken home by an employee before being finished. CONDITION: All metal is a soft gunmetal grey, no case colors, no blue, and almost appears as though it were finished in the blue.