MODEL 1855 CARBINE Description
.54 or .577 cal., Maynard tape primer, falling block, slant breech, breech loading single shot, 19 or 21 in. round barrels w/bayonet lug, long leaf rear and brass blade front sights, single trigger, case colored receiver and lockplate, blue finish, walnut straight grip stock and forearm with brass patchbox, buttplate, and barrel band, barrel stamped "SHARPS RIFLE/MANUFG. CO./HARTFORD, CONN.", "SHARP'S/PATENT/1852" stamped in three lines on the receiver, and "EDWARD MAYNARD/PATTENTEE/1845" stamped on the primer cover. Approx. 6,793 mfg. in the 17000-25000 serial number range circa 1856-1857. RF=2.
Approx. 3,000 in .577 cal. manufactured for British contract with 21 in. barrel, 3,000 in .577 cal. manufactured for British contract with 19 in. barrel, 600 in .54 cal. manufactured for U.S. Army contract, 101 in .54 cal. manufactured for U. S. Navy contract, and 93 in .54 cal. manufactured plain.