Lot 3194

Rare U.S. Martially Inspected Sharps 1853 Saddle Ring Carbine

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Rare U.S. Martially Inspected Sharps 1853 Saddle Ring Carbine

Estimate: $3,000 - $4,500

Starting Bid: $2,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 23, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Rare U.S. Martially Inspected Sharps Model 1853 Slant Breech Percussion Saddle Ring Carbine Only an estimated 250 of these U.S. martially inspected Sharps Model 1853 carbines were manufactured c. 1854-1857 per page 197 of "Flayderman's Guide, 9th Edition". They were issued by the U.S. Army for trials by the 1st and 2nd Dragoon regiments on the frontier where they were exposed to harsh conditions, with limited surviving examples today. This example has an "M" sub-inspection mark stamped on the left barrel flat and right of the breech block, and remnants of "JPC" U.S. inspection initials are stamped ahead of faint remnants of an oval script inspection cartouche on the left of the stock wrist. Fitted with a brass barrel band, patchbox and buttplate, a long iron saddle bar and ring, brass blade front sight and folding leaf rear sight. The top of the barrel is marked "SHARP'S RIFLE/MANUFG.CO./HARTFORD. CONN." in three lines ahead of the rear sight, "SHARP'S/PATENT/1852" is in three lines on the lock, and "SHARPS/PATENT/1848" is on the upper receiver tang. The matching serial number "12716" is marked on the upper receiver tang and bottom of the barrel. Non-matching "11774" is on the rear of the forearm. "AM" is period stamped on the right of the stock.

Manufacturer: Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company

Model: 1853-Carbine

BBL: 21 1/2 inch round

Stock: walnut

Gauge: .52

Finish: blue/casehardened

Serial Number12716

Class: Antique

  • Condition: Good as U.S. issued, with antiqued brown and gray patina on the iron, some minor pitting and abrasive marks, half absent head of the stop screw on the rear sight ladder, bright golden patina on the brass, and clear markings in the iron. The wood is also good as restored, with chips, scratches, and remnants of the cartouche. Absent hammer connecting link in the primer mechanism; otherwise, mechanically functions.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000