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LOT 3224
Rare Documented U.S. Contract Sharps Model 1852 “Slant Breech” Percussion
Military Carbine - Serial no. 2092, 52 cal., 21 inch round bbl., brown/casehardened/
brass finish, walnut stock. This carbine is featured multiple times in
“Sharps Firearms: The Percussion Era 1848-1865” by Marcot, Paxton, and
Marron in “Chapter 8: Sharps Model 1852 Military Carbines.” On page 156,
the authors write, “On January 2, 1852, the Chief of Ordnance, Colonel
Henry K. Craig, contacted the Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Co. (SRMCo.)
to confirm that the U.S. Army wanted to purchase 200 Sharps carbines
with the Maynard tape priming system...SRMCo. President John C. Palmer,
wrote Colonel Craig on February 6th, that his company would like to
substitute the Sharps pellet priming system on some of the carbines just
ordered. Three days later, Colonel Craig informed Palmer that 50 of the
Army’s Order could have the Sharps’ new pellet priming system, while the
remainder must utilize Maynard’s tape primer system.” These carbines were
delivered on September 26, 1853, and subjected to field trials. On page 166,
they note, “Authenticated Military contract carbines include sn. 2092 and
2109.” 2092 is the current carbine, and 2109 was sold by Rock Island Auction
Company in December 2007 and was featured in “Sharps Firearms” by Frank
Sellers and also appears on page 162 of “Sharps Firearms: The Percussion
Era 1848-1865.” Some earlier publications such as Sellers’ book suggested a
second order for Model 1852 carbines, but only 50 are documented as having
been ordered. The scarcity of the U.S. contract Model 1852 carbines makes them
among the rarest of all U.S. martial arms and all Sharps firearms. They are significant
in paving the way for the Model 1853 carbines and the “straight breech” Sharps used
during the Civil War.
This carbine has a tall brass blade front sight, “squirrel ear” adjustable notch rear
sight, adjustable folding peep sight, and “US/SK/P” on the upper left side of the barrel
at the breech end. Samuel Knous was the inspector sent to the Sharps factory by
the Army Ordnance Dept. to inspect the Model 1851 and 1852 Carbines. Traces of a
cartouche are visible on the stock. “C. SHARPS/PATENT/1848” is marked on the upper
tang, and “C. SHARPS’/PATENT./1852” is marked on the lock plate. The breechblock
is equipped with a platinum ring to help seal the breech. The number on the rear of
the breechblock matches the one on the upper tang. The sling ring bar runs from the
receiver to a lug on the left side of the brass barrel band.
CONDITION: Very good with gray and brown patina on the iron, attractive aged patina
on the brass mounts, oxidation, and mild overall wear mainly consisting of some
dents and scrapes on the wood. Mechanically fine. This is an extraordinarily rare and
significant U.S. contract Sharps Model 1852 “Slant Breech” Military Carbine.
Provenance: The Steve & Linda Evans Collection.
Estimate: 15,000 - 22,500
According to "Sharps Firearms: The
Percussion Era 1848-1865", only 50
Sharps Model 1852 Slant Breech Carbines
were produced for U.S. contract.
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN SHARPS
FIREARMS: THE PERCUSSION ERA 1848-1865
BY MARCOT, PAXTON AND MARRON