The Sharps Model 1852, sometime referred to as the ‘Slant Breech’ or ‘Sloping Breech’, was the first commercially successful carbine made by the Sharps Rifle Company. Roughly 5000 Model 1852 were produced between 1853 and 1855.
This model 1852 carbine is a great representative of the gun that made Sharps famous. It remains in good mechanical condition with a solid half and full cock and a well-fitting breech block. It is all original with the exception of both the butt stock and forestock; which appear to be gunsmith-made replacements.
The block locks up nice and tight with no slop or play in the breech. The nipple is original and shows some mutilation from dry firing.
The barrel and bore are both in great shape. The barrel sports an original rear sight sight that was broken and re-welded at some point. The front sight is a replacement. The barrel has a smooth grey finish that matches the patina of the rest of the steel components.
The bore is fair with strong rifling and some light scattered pitting throughout.
The stocks a gunsmith-made replacements; and are in fairly good condition with a few minor cracks and a fairly modern repair at the front of the fore stock.
The furniture is in good condition and the saddle ring bar is missing.
This hard to find carbine would be a great addition to anyone's early breechloader collection!
