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LOT 223
Rare Documented U.S. Contract Sharps Model
1851 “Boxlock” Maynard Primed Military
Carbine - Serial no. 190, 52 cal., 21 1/2 inch round
bbl., brown/casehardened/brass finish, walnut stock.
This rare carbine is featured in “Sharps Firearms: The
Percussion Era 1848-1865” by Marcot, Paxton, and
Marron in “Chapter 4: Sharps Model 1851 Military
Carbines” on page 80. Per the authors, this is one of
just 150 military carbines ordered and inspected by
the U.S. Army Ordnance Department. These all fall
within the 1-266 serial number range and feature
inspection marks but not stock cartouches. This
carbine has a low brass blade front sight, adjustable
“squirrel ear” rear sight, “US/SK/P” stamped on the
upper left at the breech, “SHARPS/PATENT/1848”
and the serial number on the upper tang, “EDWARD
MAYNARD/PATENTEE/1845” on the primer door,
brass mounts, and an iron sling bar running along
the left side between the frame and barrel band.
This model is one of the rare earlier predecessors of
the more standard “straight breech” Sharps rifles and
carbines widely used in the mid to late 19th century.
We sold the consecutive carbine, sn. 191, in 2021.
These carbines are nearly impossible to obtain and
are highly coveted by both U.S. military and Sharps
collectors alike!
CONDITION: Very good with dark brown patina
on the steel, dark aged patina on the brass, some
mild oxidation/pitting, general mild wear including
scrapes and dings on the metal and wood, and
some faint cracks in the stock. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Steve & Linda Evans Collection.
Estimate: 16,000 - 25,000
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN SHARPS
FIREARMS: THE PERCUSSION ERA 1848-1865
BY MARCOT, PAXTON AND MARRON
According to "Sharps Firearms: The Percussion
Era 1848-1865", only 150 Sharps Model 1851
"Boxlock" military carbines were ordered and
inspected by the U.S. Army Ordnance Department.