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SHARPS, CHRISTIAN

Previously manufactured by Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company circa 1851-1855, located in Windsor, VT. Also manufactured in Hartford, CT under the same name between 1855-1874. Reorganized as Sharps Rifle Company in 1876 with production resuming in Hartford (1876 only) and Bridgeport, CT from 1877-1881.
SHARPS, CHRISTIAN logo

SHARPS, CHRISTIAN Firearms Models

SHARPS BREECH LOADING SINGLE SHOT PISTOL Image

SHARPS BREECH LOADING SINGLE SHOT PISTOL

lever action single shot percussion, dropping block, patent 1848 style carbine action of reduced size, 5 in. round barrel, all iron mountings, walnut grips. Made mid-1850s in Philadelphia, about 850 total of two types produced.

MODEL 1874 Image

MODEL 1874

mfg. in several configurations and a variety of calibers, designed to fire metallic cartridges and was not a conversion from percussion parts, made famous for its deadly accuracy at long distances and became known as the "Buffalo Rifle...

PEPPERBOX PISTOL Image

PEPPERBOX PISTOL

also marked Sharps and Hankins, breech-loading, .22, .30, or .32 rimfire cal., rotating firing pin, brass frame with silver plating or case hardening on iron frame.

MODEL 1849 RIFLE Image

MODEL 1849 RIFLE

.36 or .44 cal., percussion breech loader, 30 in. barrels and brass patchboxes were standard, very few examples exist, less than 100 mfg, serial numbered. These are the first of all Sharps long guns, there is no fixed value range.

REVOLVER Image

REVOLVER

.25 cal., 3 in. octagonal tip-up barrel with rib, 6 shot. Mfg. circa 1850s in Philadelphia, approx. 2000 produced.

Type I Image

Type I

.31 to .34 cal., single shot, "SHARPS PATENT/ARMS MFrd FAIRMOUNT/PHILA. PA" stamped within an oval panel on left side of frame, serial numbered from 1 to approx. 500, 5 in. round barrel, iron mountings, blued and case colored finish, lacks ...

MODEL 1850 RIFLE Image

MODEL 1850 RIFLE

.36 or .44 cal., incorporated the Maynard tape primer on right side of breech, features similar to Model 1849, approx. 150 mfg. by A.S. Nippes, very rare.

MODEL 1851 CARBINE Image

MODEL 1851 CARBINE

.52 cal. percussion, 21 5/8 barrel, hammer mounted inside frame, Maynard tape primer. Approx. 1,800 mfg. by Robbins and Lawrence, 200 went to U.S. Government - these will bring a premium.

Type 2 Image

Type 2

.36 cal., single shot, breech loader, "C. SHARPS & CO./PHILA. PA." or "C. SHARPS & CO'S RIFLE WORKS/PHILA. PA." stamped on right frame, "C. SHARPS/PATENT/1848" stamped on left side of frame, 6 1/2 in. round barrel, larger frame than Type 1....

SPRINGFIELD/SHARPS MODEL 1870-1871 Image

SPRINGFIELD/SHARPS MODEL 1870-1871

approx. 1,000 rifles and 300 carbines altered by Springfield Armory to fire .50/70 metallic cartridge, in addition to those done by Sharps Co., rifle barrels 35 1/2 in., carbine barrels 22 in., receivers color case hardened, all other metal...

SHARPS PISTOL RIFLE Image

SHARPS PISTOL RIFLE

.31 and .38 cal., lever action single shot percussion, various barrel lengths with 28 in. being most common, uses the single shot pistol action with the additions of a longer barrel and a rifle pistol grip buttstock, early rifles have Germa...

Springfield/Sharps Model 1870-1871 Rifles Image

Springfield/Sharps Model 1870-1871 Rifles

.50-70 metallic cartridge, 35 1/2 in. barrels, color case hardened receiver, all other metal parts bright finish, approx. 1,000 rifles altered by Springfield Armory to fire .50-70 metallic cartridge, in addition to those done by Sharps Co.,...

MODEL 1859 RIFLE Image

MODEL 1859 RIFLE

iron patchbox only, long forearm fastened with three barrel bands, approx. 4,300 mfg. in carbine ser. range with lug on barrel for attachment of saber bayonet. Approx. 600 were mfg. with 36 in. long barrel - these will command a premium.

MODEL 1852 CARBINE Image

MODEL 1852 CARBINE

this design became standard for all the Sharps for the next two decades, first to be called "slant breech," established Christian Sharps as a major gun manufacturer. Approx. 5,000 mfg. by Robbins and Lawrence, U.S. military markin...

COFFEE MILL MODEL Image

COFFEE MILL MODEL

experimental variation buttstock with a grinding device and detachable handle that was fitted to several Model 1859 & 1863 Carbines. Designed to provide a quick and easy method for cavalry troops in the field to process coffee beans or ...

Type I Pistol Rifle Image

Type I Pistol Rifle

.31 to .38 cal., pistol action, "C. SHARPS PATENT 1848-52" marked on left side of frame, ramrod mounted under barrel, German silver mountings. Approx. 50 mfg.

Springfield/Sharps Model 1870-1871 Carbines Image

Springfield/Sharps Model 1870-1871 Carbines

.50-70 metallic cartridge, 22. in. barrel, color case hardened receiver, all other metal parts bright finish, approx. 300 carbines altered by Springfield Armory to fire .50-70 metallic cartridge, in addition to those done by Sharps Co., own...

MODEL 1853 CARBINE Image

MODEL 1853 CARBINE

.52 cal., very similar to Model 1852, with walnut stock and brass patchbox, Sharps patented pellet primer feed, ser. no. range 9000-19000.

Model 1874 Meachan Type Conversion Image

Model 1874 Meachan Type Conversion

most in .45/70 cal., very similar to Business Rifle, with both round and octagon barrels, mfg. from Civil War Sharps carbine actions and surplus, as well as new parts by several commercial firms in the 1880s after Sharps Rifle Co. closed. S...

Type 2 (Standard Model) Image

Type 2 (Standard Model)

.31 or .38 cal., single shot, breech loader, falling block action, marked "C. SHARPS & CO. PHILADA. PA" marked on left side of frame, various barrel lengths, iron mountings, wedge fastened German silver buttplate, no ramrod. Approx. 600 mad...

MODEL 1855 CARBINE Image

MODEL 1855 CARBINE

.52 cal., U.S. military model, all with Maynard tape primer, this was the period during which Robbins and Lawrence failed, and Sharps Rifle Co. took over production. 800 mfg.

MODEL 1878 SHARPS-BORCHARDT SPORTING RIFLE Image

MODEL 1878 SHARPS-BORCHARDT SPORTING RIFLE

many cals. and barrel lengths, single trigger, hammerless action designed by Hugo Borchardt, carbines, military, sporting, and target rifles were all mfg., but sales suffered from a bolt and lever action market glut. Less than 9,000 mfg. by...

MODEL 1879 SHARPS-LEE BOLT ACTION Image

MODEL 1879 SHARPS-LEE BOLT ACTION

material for 1,300 rifles was purchased in 1879 but little work was done on the U.S. Navy order for 300 rifles before Sharps ceased operations Oct. 18, 1880. Only a few hand-made tool room models for demonstration purposes were completed.