Sharps Model 1855 U.S. Navy Rifle
.54 caliber, 27" barrel, S/N 20347. Blued and color casehardened finish, brass furniture, walnut stock and forend retained by a screw and single barrel band. No visible lock markings, breech marked with US Naval Anchor. Three-line barrel address somewhat weak, reading: SHARPS RIFLE / MANUFG CO / HARTFORD CONN. Receiver tang marked SHARPS / PATENTEE / 1848 and with serial number. Matching serial number found under barrel and in forend as well. Tape priming door marked in two lines: EDWARD MAYNARD / PATENTEE 1845. The illegible remnants of a three letter block inspection mark appear on the reverse wrist where it meets the receiver. The assembly mark Y16 appears throughout, under the barrel, in the forend, in the lock, patchbox, on the operation lever and on the breech block. The mating code N12 appears on the patchbox cover and in the wood of the patchbox as well. The tape priming mechanism is numbered 450, and the primer door is numbered 522. A correct pattern, Enfield-style 900-yard rear sight is present on the barrel and the original front sight is present as well. A saber bayonet lug with a .875" guide key is present under the barrel, 2.75" from the muzzle. The lug is marked with a "0". Only 263 M1855 Sharps carbines with 27" long barrels and saber bayonet lugs were manufactured, of which 200 went to the US Navy. This one is appropriately marked to be one of the 200 US Navy M1855 "Rifles." A very scarce US martial long arm.
Condition:
Very good to near fine. Retains some of the blued finish on the barrel, which had faded and thinned and is stronger under the forend. Lock a dull gray color, block slightly darker. Lever, trigger plate and primer door with some nice, bright blue. Brass cleaned to bright. Markings slightly weak on the barrel. Mechanically functional, very good bore with light pitting. Stock very good with scattered bumps, dings and minor mars, forend lightly sanded with a small crack at the screw escutcheon. Overall a very nice example of a scarce US Navy Sharps.
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