Sharps M-1852 Carbine
The Sharps Model 1852 was the earliest Sharps having the distinctive relief contoured "slanting breech" on the frame. Another key feature distinctive to the 1852 is the retaining spring on the right rear section of the forearm securing the lever hinge pin. Approximately only 600 of these Sporting Rifles were produced. This rifle is equipped with a heavy octagon barrel with a brass blade front sight and a "squirrel ear" rear sight. All furniture is steel with casehardened finish. The barrel is absent of any marks except for the matching serial number on the bottom. The upper tang is marked "C. SHARPS / PATENT/ 1848" and "C. SHARPS' / PATENT. / 1852" on the lockplate. The serial number is marked on the upper tang and the matching number is marked on the inside of the Sharps patent pellet primer and inside of the patchbox door. The forearm is smooth with a pewter forend cap, straight grip stock with a small "M" stamped just behind the lower tang and a saddle ring and staple are mounted on the lower tang. This is a truly unique feature that is extremely rare.
Below is a John Brown Carbine
with blue/brown barrel, the gun has some traces of blue
and an overall blue/brown look.
The gun has been restocked with a stock from a Sharps
M-1853 carbine, so it is slightly
ill fit and a slot for a saddle ring bar has been filled.
Bore is strongly rifled, very dirty
and heavy spotting with some deep spots in rifling. Clearly
marked barrel and frame.
Low number, 3xxx, good to very good overall.
