MODEL 1853 SPORTING RIFLE Description
.36, .44, or .52 cal., Sharps pellet primer, falling block, slant breech, breech loading single shot, 24-34 in. barrel, 27 in. standard, approx. 2,225 octagon, 600 round, and 100 octagon/round manufactured, dovetail mounted brass blade front and folding leaf rear sights standard, single or double set triggers, blue, brown, color case hardened, plated, or white finish, walnut stock and forearm with brass or iron patchbox, buttplate, and forearm tip, 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. 2,970 mfg. in the 8000-27500 serial number range circa 1854-1859. RF=3.