Page 186 - 87-BOOK1

184
LOT 216
Extraordinary Civil War Sharps New Model 1863 Breech Loading Percussion Saddle Ring Carbine - Serial no. C,25455, 52 cal., 22 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This extraordinary Civil War Sharps New Model 1863 carbine features blade front and Lawrence patent rear sights, “NEW MODEL 1863” marked on top of the barrel behind the Lawrence patent ladder rear sight with 900 yard center notch, Sharps 1848 patent date marked on the left of the receiver with the R.S. Lawrence 1859 patent date and Sharps 1852 patent date on the lock, serial number “C,25455” marked on the upper receiver tang and no disassembly was performed to be able to view the underside of the barrel out of respect for the untouched nature of the gun, single letter inspection marks stamped on various components, “T.W.R” (Thomas W. Russell) inspection initials marked on the left of the barrel at the breech and on the sideplate, “A.W.M” inspection initials stamped on the underside flat of the forearm and on top of the stock comb ahead of the buttplate tang, and two boxed script inspection cartouches on the left of the wrist including “JT” (John Taylor) and “TWR” (Thomas W. Russell). This is one of the three finest condition known surviving examples of a Sharps New Model 1863 percussion carbine, with one of them very recently sold by Rock Island Auction Company (Lot 98, Auction 86).
We want to emphasize that Sharps carbines almost never turn up in this condition, and we are very fortunate to have the privilege to offer this extraordinary example!