3550

VERY SCARCE LATE MARTIAL SHARPS MODEL 1853 SLANT

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,250.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 3,500.00 USD
VERY SCARCE LATE MARTIAL SHARPS MODEL 1853 SLANT
BREECH SRC WITH INSPECTOR’S CARTOUCHE. Cal 52. S# 22527. Standard brass mounted configuration of a very scarce US purchased carbine and among the highest serial numbers noted. Many earlier examples were bought by state militias and John Brown infamously purchased these “Beecher Bibles” for his 1959 raid on Harper’s Ferry. This example has the “updated” configuration requested by Ordnance Department late in 1858 with many model 1859 features. These include 21.5” round barrel with 3-line address forward of rear sight which is marked only “R S LAWRENCE” in tiny letters. This spring loaded ladder sight (unlike the normally seen rear folding model 1852 or the improved 3-line patent Lawrence sight), iron musket style front sight like on model 1859 (instead of earlier brass blades), 3” sling rod like on model 1859 extending back (instead of 9” which extended forward to rear band), Inspector cartouche on both sides of stock, and “T” sub inspector on left barrel breech. The lock is not marked, but standard 3-line patent on breech tang. CONDITION: good overall, all original and matching, honest well used example showing heavy saddle wear with discernible markings including discernible “WAT” (William A. Thornton) cartouche on right side of stock rear of lock stamped upside down and a 2nd cartouche on left side of stock just rear of saddle ring bar which can only be seen in outline. Iron overall is mottled gray patina, bright original blue on bottom of barrel protected by forestock with good markings, brass cleaned with light mustard patina, stocks sound and complete, forestock has glued repair, band spring removed and wood inset in mortise, screw retained band, 2.5” inset at bottom toe of buttstock. Mechanics are fine with good discernible rifling. (01-17372/JS). ANTIQUE. $2,500-3,500.