This one is worn but holds a lot of history! This is the classic Sharps slanting breech sporting rifle. This one is designed to fire a .40 caliber (original cal. was 52) from the full-length barrel. This gun has the serial number of 13,651. It is crafted with a 26 inch octagonal barrel with the blade style front sight with semi-buckhorn rear sight. The gun is a single-shot, lever-operated action with double-set triggers. The gun is designed with the double set style triggers for sharpshooting. This one has the spring and works mechanically. When you cock the hammer back you pull the back trigger. This sets it to fire when the front trigger is pulled and it is very very sensitive. The lockplate is also fitted with the primer feed mechanism. The top tang of the barrel has an 1848 patent date. The action and breech end of barrel have the "extra fine" vine-type foliate scroll hand engraving. You can tell that this one was a fantastically ornate gun when it left the factory. It has a pewter-tipped forearm and straight grip walnut stock with steel buttplate. The stock has a replacement brass plate fastened by brass nails in place of the original patchbox and you can tell by the wonderful patina that it was done eons ago. The right side of the stock also has three copper-plated large head brass tacks. The left side of the stock has four large head copper-plated tacks around a larger 1" diameter circular brass ornament. There was only a total of 2,970 model 1853 sporting rifles and they were manufactured from July 8th, 1854, to December 1859. The gun is accompanied by a Sharps factory letter from Dr. Richard J. Labowskie detailing the following information, "Dear Sam: / Sharps rifle serial #13651 has been located in the original records of the Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company, predecessor to the Sharps Rifle Company. It is listed in their Order Book as a Model 1853 Octagon Rifle and was invoiced at the Hartford factory on December 28, 1855. / The rifle was described in the record as being 90 Bore, or about .52 caliber. It was also noted to be Extra Fine Engraved. Extra Fine was the highest category of engraving to be designated by the Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company. Those Octagon Rifles so termed are seen in the collector market with full coverage of engraving on the receiver, usually including animal scenes, barrel engraving at both the breech and the muzzle, and engraved trigger guard, patch box and buttplate. / Regrettably, the recipients of Model 1853 production are not known. This information, along with data on prices, ammunition and accessories, must have been kept in a separate Journal or Day Book which has not survived. / Trusting this limited information to be of value, I remain, / Yours very truly, / Richard J. Labowskie, MD". As you can see, the metal shows general deep pitting with a brown corroded appearance in most areas, having spots of less pitted areas near the breech end. The frame of the gun has cleaned gray appearance showing pitting. It has the heavily worn forearm that has chips and dents with added wood and epoxy repairs along the barrel. The stock is heavily worn with deep dents and gouges having chips and repair cracks around the action. Bore is generally bright, retaining sound rifling. This is a neat looking gun with the Sharps factory letter.

Print Email to a friend

Order Information

WE NO LONGER HAVE A STORE FRONT BUSINESS! ON-LINE AND SHOW SALES ONLY! Please contact us if you have any questions before you place an order. 731-438-3541 Extension #3

Terms of Sale

All items are described to the best of our ability. Remember that the only true experts died 100 years ago. If we make a mistake we will make it right. It is always best to call and reserve an item as most of them are unique. We do out best to keep the web-site up-to-date but sometimes items sell out of the office or at a show and aren't removed immediately. After you place your order and receive confirmation from Shiloh Relics. The item will be held for 7 days for the payment to arrive. If payment is not received within 7 days the item will be placed back for sale. Please call between 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM Central Time. A minimum charge of $10.00 will be added to cover shipping. Items can be shipped UPS or USPS Priority Mail. Tennessee residents must include 9.75% sales tax. All items are 100% GUARANTEED. If for any reason you are unhappy with the relic just return it UNALTERED within 5 days for a refund minus shipping charges and restocking fee of 6%. Layaways can be arranged on items over $100. Layaway terms are; 1/3 down and 1/3 in 30 days with balance due in full in 60 days. Due to time factors there are no refunds or price discounts on layaways. Only 1 item may be in lay-a-way at a time unless approved by Shiloh Relics. We reserve the right to refuse service to rude people. We are always buying and trading so feel free to make an offer. Thanks for stopping by! Rafael & Catherine Eledge, Owners of ShilohRelics.com.

Payment Information

Checks, Money Orders , Major Credit Cards , Layaway

Authenticity

I guarantee all my items to be authentic and as described. All items are Guaranteed to be Authentic without time limit to the original purchaser for the price purchased as long as the item is accompanied by the original receipt or bill of sale.

Shipping Information

We use the United States Postal Service or United Parcel Service for all shipping. Insurance is included in all shipping costs to protect your item. We am happy to combine items to reduce the shipping cost please let us know if you have placed multiple orders.