12/27/22 - Known as the Sharps & Hankins Model 1862 carbine, this weapon is a wartime .52 caliber, rimfire, breechloading firearm designed by Hartford, Connecticut native Christian Sharps. This is a ‘Navy’ type carbine which originally had its barrel covered in a leather covering as rust protection from the sea salt and air (ours does not have its original leather cover). Along with some 6,700 other such Navy carbines produced by the Sharps and Hankins firm in Philadelphia, PA, this carbine was chambered for the No. 56 Sharps & Hankins metallic cartridge. Fitted with six groove and land rifling, the weapon is 38 5/8” long and weighs about 8 pounds. By tripping the small finger release and operating the lever, the barrel slides forward to accommodate the Sharps rimfire cartridge. This one is all matching and in nice condition overall. There is not a ton of actual finish loss, but there is splotchy discoloration on both sides of the receiver and heavy brown "attic patina" throughout. The wood stock is very nice with only minor bruising here and there. The bore is shiny with strong rifling and just some minor spotty oxidation around the muzzle end.
