MODEL 1853 MILITARY RIFLE Description
.52 cal., Sharps pellet primer, falling block, slant breech, breech loading single shot, 24 or 27 in. barrel w/bayonet lug, folding leaf or "Minie" rear and brass blade front sights, single trigger, white finish, walnut 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 "SHARPS/PATENT/1848" stamped on the upper tang. Approx. 222 mfg. in the 15200-15400 serial number range w/additional scattered serial numbers circa 1854-1856. RF=5.