NEW MODEL 1859 SHARPS RIFLE
$3,750.00
- Sharps Rifles Serial Number Ranges Smith & Wesson - Single Action Pistols, First Model.22, Second Model.22, New Departure Safety Hammerless, Ladysmith 1902-1911+ Spencer Slide Action Shotguns.
- The Sharps 'New Model' 1859 rifles in this serial range, roughly 39,XXX through 40,XXX with saber bayonet lugs are typically considered part of the 'Mitchell Contract' of Sharps rifles acquired by the US Navy during the Civil War, after the US Army declined to purchase the guns equipped with saber bayonets, preferring to stay with socket bayonet rifles.
- R) Burnside carbine, 3rd Model, serial number is in the range of the 2nd Texas Vol. Cavalry.$1625 (Click images to view larger) S) Model 1852 Sharps Carbine. Sharps' markings on lockplate and tang.
The rifles were serial numbered sequentially with other Sharps long arms then in production and not in their own serial number range, with the NM-1859 rifles appearing in the serial number range 36,000-60,000.
Quantity Available: 1
Item Code: 172-5520
Shipping: Determined by Method & Location of buyer
To Order:
Call 717-334-0347,
Fax 717-334-5016, or E-mail
The Sharps rifle, a .52 caliber, breechloading firearm invented and patented by Hartford, Connecticut native Christian Sharps. Presented here is a New Model 1859 Sharps rifle that features serial #40225.
Rifle has a 29½' long round barrel and a 'straight-breech' type lockplate fitted to its walnut shoulder and fore stock. Barrel surface is overall smooth with a gray-tan patina. The barrel address shows light wear but is completely readable. Likewise, 'NEW MODEL 1859' can be made out to rear of sight. Flip-up rear sight is complete and has complete Lawrence patent information. Bore is bright with strong rifling; just the slightest pitting near the breech. Saber bayonet lug is mounted on underside of barrel at the muzzle.
The receiver shares similar nice surface condition as the barrel with clear maker marks and patent designations. Right side of lock features Sharps and Lawrence patent marks. Left side has another Sharps patent stamp. Serial number is strongly stamped on the upper receiver tang.
Breechblock, lever mechanics, hammer and trigger mechanics all operate smoothly. Other iron components match in condition and dark color. Iron patch box in butt stock.
All wood has original deep, rich color. A number of dings and wear as is usual. There is a crack at the butt, running from the lower buttplate screw along the grain to the bottom swivel. No inspector cartouches are visible. At some point, long ago, the butt stock was 'detailed' with gold paint. Painted patterns were nicely done and varnished.
This New Model 1859 Sharps rifle in very nice condition. [jet]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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THANK YOU!
This slant breech specimen is attributed to use by John Brown
in his 1859 raid on the U.S. Armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. It
is one of 75 whose serial numbers are listed in the CONGRESSIONAL
RECORD for 1859 as a result of its association with that event.
Over 900 of these Beecher s Bibles, named for abolitionist
preacher Henry Ward Beecher, were purchased by New England
abolitionists and shipped in crates marked BIBLES for the purpose
of arming Free Soil settlers in Kansas during the 1850s. John Brown
was one of many anti-slavery settlers who fought against
pro-slavery Border Ruffians in Kansas prior to the Civil War, and
some of these guns found their way with Brown to Harpers
Ferry.
Sharps carbines were manufactured with identical serial numbers on
both the tang and on the underside of the barrel beneath the fore
end. The tang serial number of this specimen has been removed,
quite likely in an attempt to cover its role in Brown s abortive
raid. However, the barrel serial number remains and is visible with
the fore end removed, substantiating the role of this gun in a
watershed event in U.S. history.
Christian Sharps 1811-1874 was the originator of a line of
sturdy, practical, and popular military and sporting rifles and
handguns that were associated with several events that shaped
American history in 19th century, including armed conflict in
Kansas during the 1850s, the Civil War, the era of the Plains
buffalo hunter, and the rise of modern long-range competition
shooting during the 1870s. Sharps worked at John Hall s Rifle Works
in Harpers Ferry, Virginia, where he learned the principles of arms
manufacturing. His first breechloading rifle design was patented in
1848, and the toggle-linking trigger guard and vertically operating
sliding wedge breechblock of later Sharps rifles and carbines date
from that patent. These features are still with us today, and have
seen use in both rifle and artillery breech mechanisms. The spring
lever-toggle-breech mechanism of the Borchardt-Luger semi-automatic
pistol also had its roots in Christian Sharps lever-linked
breech.
In 1850, Sharps moved to Mill Creek, Pennsylvania, near
Philadelphia, and contracted with the firm of A. S. Nippes to
manufacture two of his sporting rifle designs, which became known
as the Model 1849 and Model 1850. Faced with difficulty in
obtaining financing for further ventures, Sharps left the
Philadelphia area in 1851 and relocated to Hartford, Connecticut,
where he formed the Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company. Lacking
production facilities, he contracted with the Windsor, Vermont firm
of Robbins Lawrence to manufacture his new breechloader. This
venture continued until 1855.
Among the Sharps-designed firearms manufactured under this
association were the Model 1851 Box Lock Carbine, which featured
the Maynard tape primer system, and the Model 1852 and Model 1853
1859 Sharps Rifle For Sale
Slanting Breech Carbines, which were equipped with the
Sharps-patented pellet primer system as an integral part of its
breech mechanism. Model 1853 Carbines were nicknamed Beecher s
Bibles, after noted New York clergyman and abolitionist Henry Ward
Beecher. Approximately 900 of these arms were shipped in heavy
crates marked BIBLES for use by anti-slavery Free Soil settlers
who were fighting against pro-slavery forces in Bleeding Kansas
during the 1850s. One of the most famous Free Soilers was John
Brown, who later used 300 Model 1853 Carbines in his ill-fated
attempt to capture the U.S. Armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia in
1859.
Christian Sharps served as technical advisor to the Sharps Rifle
Manufacturing Company, receiving royalties on the manufacture of
their firearms. His relationship with the company was a rocky one,
and in 1853, Sharps severed all connections with the firm. There is
no evidence that he ever had any further association with the
company that continued to bear his name.
In 1855, the Sharps company introduced the Model 1855 Carbine.
These arms retained the slanting breech and buttstock patch boxes
of earlier models, but featured the Maynard tape primer system.
Approximately 800. 54 caliber carbines were manufactured for the
U.S. government, and an additional 6,000 Model 1855s in. 577
caliber were purchased by Great Britain. While these carbines were
in production, both Robbins Lawrence and Sharps suffered
serious financial losses. The latter corporation went bankrupt, and
their operations were taken over by Sharps and moved to Hartford.
The Sharps New Model 1859, introduced in that year, was available
as a carbine, and in round-barrel military rifle or
octagonal-barrel sporting rifle versions. Its straight-breech
design is credited to Richard S. Lawrence, formerly of Robbins
Lawrence, who had become the superintendent of the Sharps
Rifle Company.
This design, in conjunction with a breechblock-mounted plate
capable of slight rearward movement when under pressure, created a
moderately effective gas seal. New Model 1859 arms also employed an
improved version of the Sharps pellet primer system which allowed
the pellet feed mechanism to be disengaged. Ordinary percussion
caps could then be used, with the supply of pellet primers held in
reserve. Like earlier Sharps designs, the Model 1859 fired a glazed
linen combustible. 52 caliber cartridge. When closed, the
breechblock sheared off the rear of the cartridge, exposing the
propellant.
During the Civil War, the Federal government bought over 80,000
Sharps carbines and nearly 10,000 Sharps Rifles. These arms were
highly regarded by the troops who used them. Sharps Carbines found
favor with Federal cavalry troopers, and New Model 1859 Rifles were
used with great success by famous infantry units such as Colonel
Hiram Berdan s U.S. Sharp Shooters, perhaps the first specialty
troops in the history of modern warfare, as well as the 5th New
York Duryea s Zouaves and the 13th Pennsylvania Reserves
Bucktails. Even the Confederate government recognized the
THANK YOU!
This slant breech specimen is attributed to use by John Brown
in his 1859 raid on the U.S. Armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. It
is one of 75 whose serial numbers are listed in the CONGRESSIONAL
RECORD for 1859 as a result of its association with that event.
Over 900 of these Beecher s Bibles, named for abolitionist
preacher Henry Ward Beecher, were purchased by New England
abolitionists and shipped in crates marked BIBLES for the purpose
of arming Free Soil settlers in Kansas during the 1850s. John Brown
was one of many anti-slavery settlers who fought against
pro-slavery Border Ruffians in Kansas prior to the Civil War, and
some of these guns found their way with Brown to Harpers
Ferry.
Sharps carbines were manufactured with identical serial numbers on
both the tang and on the underside of the barrel beneath the fore
end. The tang serial number of this specimen has been removed,
quite likely in an attempt to cover its role in Brown s abortive
raid. However, the barrel serial number remains and is visible with
the fore end removed, substantiating the role of this gun in a
watershed event in U.S. history.
Christian Sharps 1811-1874 was the originator of a line of
sturdy, practical, and popular military and sporting rifles and
handguns that were associated with several events that shaped
American history in 19th century, including armed conflict in
Kansas during the 1850s, the Civil War, the era of the Plains
buffalo hunter, and the rise of modern long-range competition
shooting during the 1870s. Sharps worked at John Hall s Rifle Works
in Harpers Ferry, Virginia, where he learned the principles of arms
manufacturing. His first breechloading rifle design was patented in
1848, and the toggle-linking trigger guard and vertically operating
sliding wedge breechblock of later Sharps rifles and carbines date
from that patent. These features are still with us today, and have
seen use in both rifle and artillery breech mechanisms. The spring
lever-toggle-breech mechanism of the Borchardt-Luger semi-automatic
pistol also had its roots in Christian Sharps lever-linked
breech.
In 1850, Sharps moved to Mill Creek, Pennsylvania, near
Philadelphia, and contracted with the firm of A. S. Nippes to
manufacture two of his sporting rifle designs, which became known
as the Model 1849 and Model 1850. Faced with difficulty in
obtaining financing for further ventures, Sharps left the
Philadelphia area in 1851 and relocated to Hartford, Connecticut,
where he formed the Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company. Lacking
production facilities, he contracted with the Windsor, Vermont firm
of Robbins Lawrence to manufacture his new breechloader. This
venture continued until 1855.
Among the Sharps-designed firearms manufactured under this
association were the Model 1851 Box Lock Carbine, which featured
the Maynard tape primer system, and the Model 1852 and Model 1853
1859 Sharps Rifle For Sale
Slanting Breech Carbines, which were equipped with the
Sharps-patented pellet primer system as an integral part of its
breech mechanism. Model 1853 Carbines were nicknamed Beecher s
Bibles, after noted New York clergyman and abolitionist Henry Ward
Beecher. Approximately 900 of these arms were shipped in heavy
crates marked BIBLES for use by anti-slavery Free Soil settlers
who were fighting against pro-slavery forces in Bleeding Kansas
during the 1850s. One of the most famous Free Soilers was John
Brown, who later used 300 Model 1853 Carbines in his ill-fated
attempt to capture the U.S. Armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia in
1859.
Christian Sharps served as technical advisor to the Sharps Rifle
Manufacturing Company, receiving royalties on the manufacture of
their firearms. His relationship with the company was a rocky one,
and in 1853, Sharps severed all connections with the firm. There is
no evidence that he ever had any further association with the
company that continued to bear his name.
In 1855, the Sharps company introduced the Model 1855 Carbine.
These arms retained the slanting breech and buttstock patch boxes
of earlier models, but featured the Maynard tape primer system.
Approximately 800. 54 caliber carbines were manufactured for the
U.S. government, and an additional 6,000 Model 1855s in. 577
caliber were purchased by Great Britain. While these carbines were
in production, both Robbins Lawrence and Sharps suffered
serious financial losses. The latter corporation went bankrupt, and
their operations were taken over by Sharps and moved to Hartford.
The Sharps New Model 1859, introduced in that year, was available
as a carbine, and in round-barrel military rifle or
octagonal-barrel sporting rifle versions. Its straight-breech
design is credited to Richard S. Lawrence, formerly of Robbins
Lawrence, who had become the superintendent of the Sharps
Rifle Company.
This design, in conjunction with a breechblock-mounted plate
capable of slight rearward movement when under pressure, created a
moderately effective gas seal. New Model 1859 arms also employed an
improved version of the Sharps pellet primer system which allowed
the pellet feed mechanism to be disengaged. Ordinary percussion
caps could then be used, with the supply of pellet primers held in
reserve. Like earlier Sharps designs, the Model 1859 fired a glazed
linen combustible. 52 caliber cartridge. When closed, the
breechblock sheared off the rear of the cartridge, exposing the
propellant.
During the Civil War, the Federal government bought over 80,000
Sharps carbines and nearly 10,000 Sharps Rifles. These arms were
highly regarded by the troops who used them. Sharps Carbines found
favor with Federal cavalry troopers, and New Model 1859 Rifles were
used with great success by famous infantry units such as Colonel
Hiram Berdan s U.S. Sharp Shooters, perhaps the first specialty
troops in the history of modern warfare, as well as the 5th New
York Duryea s Zouaves and the 13th Pennsylvania Reserves
Bucktails. Even the Confederate government recognized the
superiority of the New Model 1859 Carbine, contracting with the
Richmond firm of S.C. Robinson for the production of 5,000 copies.
The New Model 1859 was followed by the New Model 1863 and New Model
1865 Carbines and Rifles. These were nearly identical to the New
Model 1859, differing primarily in barrel stampings, the omission
of buttstock patchboxes, and in the design or absence of bayonet
lugs. Many versions of all three arms were later converted for use
with. 50-70 and. 52-70 caliber metallic cartridge ammunition in the
years following the Civil War. The New Model 1869 Carbine and
Rifle, available in. 44-77. 50-70, and. 60 calibers, were the
first Sharps arms designed for use with metallic cartridges.
In 1874, the firm was reorganized as the Sharps Rifle Co., with
operations remaining in Hartford. In 1876, manufacturing was moved
to Bridgeport, Connecticut, where it remained until 1881. This
period saw the manufacture of some of the more notable of Sharps
longarms, beginning with introduction of the Model 1874 Rifle.
Nicknamed Old Reliable, this arm, available in a variety of
calibers, barrel lengths, sights, and other features, became a
favorite with both Plains buffalo hunters and competition shooters.
Many Fancy-Grade models featured engraving which ranged from simple
scrollwork to elaborate hunting or western scenes on their
surfaces. The Sharps Model 1877 shared in the popularity of its
predecessor. These deluxe-grade heavy-barreled. 45 caliber rifles
were designed specifically for Creedmoor and other long-range
target shooters. Only 100 of these were produced, and they are as
sought-after today by collectors as they were by competitors at the
time of their introduction.
The last rifle to be produced by the Sharps Rifle Company was the
Model 1878 Sharps-Borchardt Rifle. This arm was developed by Hugo
Borchardt, who later became famous for his automatic pistol
designs. These rifles, with their flat-sided frame and hammerless
appearance, differ notably from earlier Sharps designs. Like the
Model 1874, the Sharps-Borchardt was available in a variety of
stocks, barrel lengths and weights, sights, calibers, and other
Pedersoli Sharps 1859
features, including deluxe grade models. These popular rifles were
produced until 1881, when the Sharps Rifle Company went bankrupt
and ceased operations.
Although his association with the Sharps Rifle Manufacturing
Company ended in 1853, Christian Sharps continued to work as a
designer and manufacturer of firearms. He returned to Philadelphia
and formed C. Sharps Co., a manufacturer of percussion
revolvers, breechloading single-shot pistols and pistol-rifles, and
four-shot pepperbox pistols. In 1862, Sharps entered into a
partnership with William Hankins. Their new company, known as
Sharps Hankins, continued to produce pepperbox pistols, as
well as the single-shot. 52 caliber Model 1861 Navy Rifle and the
Model 1862 Carbine, both of which featured sliding breech actions.
The partnership was dissolved in 1866, and Sharps reverted to the
C. Sharps Co. name. This firm ceased operations in 1874 with
1859 Sharps Carbine Serial Numbers
the death of Christian Sharps on March 12 of that year.
This early version of the Sharps carbine, Mark on breech tang: C. SHARPS / PATENT / 1848 and serial number. Carbine was manufactured by Sharps Rifle.
John Brown Sharps Carbine
Sharps carbines were manufactured with identical serial numbers on both the tang and on the underside of the barrel beneath the fore end. The tang serial number.
Antique Sharps Rifle Collectors Sharps Longarms Reference Site Scarce U.S. Springfield Second Type Sharps Model 1870 Breechloading Rifle Serial Number 78.
For all Sharp parts and accessories please call our toll free number 1-800-BE SHARP Affected units have serial numbers in the ranges below. Serial Number Ranges.
For all Sharp parts and accessories please call our toll free number 1-800-BE SHARP Serial Number Valid Serial Number Required Where to find.
1859 Sharps Rifle Reproduction
28. Sharps Model 1874 Sporting Rifle With A Desirable J.P. Lower Retailer marked Barrel – Serial number 157084, 40 Sharps Caliber 40 Caliber was the.
1859 Sharps Rifle Ammo
Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company. A man named Christian Sharps 1811 - 1874 Sharps Serial Numbers Models Serial Number Start Serial Number End Model.
