Beschreibung:

,577 caliber, 18" barrel, S/N 24691. Blued and color case hardened finish, brass furniture, walnut stock and forend retained by a screw and single barrel band. No visible lock or barrel markings. Receiver tang with weak SHARPS / PATENTEE / 1848 and with serial number, as well as British {crown} / 2 sub-inspection. Matching serial number found under barrel. Tape priming door marked in two lines: EDWARD MAYNARD / PATENTEE 1845. Patchbox and lid with matching "55" mating mark. Buttplate tang marked U*S*N. and patchbox marked I / SCR / 1857. Multi-leaf rear sight, sling bar and ring, fixed front sight. Breech block and lever with British sub-inspections as well. Only 100 of these carbines were made up and sold to the US Navy in 1857, apparently using at least some left over parts from the M1855 British cavalry carbine contract. A very scarce US Navy long arm. Condition: Good. Retains no finish with a thick chocolate brown patina. Mechanically functional, good bore with moderate pitting. Stock with scattered bumps and dings and a hairline crack in the butt on the reverse. A solid and very attractive example of a scarce Sharps military carbine.