Original U.S. Civil War Sharps & Hankins Nickel Plated Model 1862 Sliding Breech Naval Carbine with Leather Cover - Serial 10639

Original Item: Only One Available. Well this just takes the cake! We have had several examples of the Sharps & Hankins Model 1862 carbine before, and all but one were totally devoid of the original leather cover. The one that did have some of it just had a few pieces. This example however still has almost all of the leather cover, and is definitely the most complete example we have ever had! The only parts missing are the rear lower corners around the securing screws, with all other parts still present! The carbine also had the frame, lever, and other components nickel plated, which certainly would have helped stand up to the salty sea air.

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. Presented is a nice original example of that engineering design called the “Navy” type carbine, which had its barrel covered in a black leather covering as rust protection against the sea elements. 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.

The naval short arm measures 40 5/8” long and weighs 8 pounds. By releasing the small finger release tab and operating the lever, the barrel slides forward to accommodate the copper rimfire cartridge. The 23 3/4” long barrel has no stock fore end. It is fitted to have a blade front sight and is fitted with a Civil War ‘tangent style’ rear sight graduated to 800 yards with a leaf that pivots at the front and raises forward in an arc. This is still present and fully functional, with the locking tab still sliding back and forth correctly.

The carbine probably saw a fair amount of service before the frame was nickel plated, and we can see some texture from cleaning to remove past oxidation. The plating is still relatively well retained on both sides, with some missing around the stampings, which have sharp edges prone to plating flaking. However, the right side of the frame still has a mostly clear maker address marking:-

SHARPS
&
HANKINS
PHILADA.

Left side frame shows the patent stamp, which is somewhat worn:-

SHARPS
PATENT
1859

All lock screws look to be original and in very good condition, with a few showing some damage to the flathead channel. The receiver tang has seen some wear, and is marked with partial serial number 0639, while the bottom of the barrel, the loading lever, and the bottom of the receiver inside the joint are marked with full serial number 10639. The linkage is however marked 7687, so it was most likely swapped out at some point, possibly during plating.

The carbine has crisp mechanics, and the sliding safety near the hammer is is still present and fully functional. The hammer functions correctly, hitting the firing pin on the back of the chamber without issue, though the firing pin itself is currently frozen in the forward position. The breech latch button is intact and fully functional as well. The bore is in good condition, showing a partly bright finish with clear lands and grooves. There is definitely past oxidation and fouling in the grooves, now cleaned away, and the carbine looks to have seen moderate service.

The black walnut stock is very good condition, with a lovely color and grain, particularly near the butt plate, where we can see a good amount of "flame" figuring. It does show the expected wear from service, but there are no major dents or cracks evident, and we cannot see any evidence of past repairs. It does show dents, dings, scratches, and other wear from service, and there looks to have been a dowel repair made through the wrist, which is covered with wood filler on both sides. The rear sling swivel is still present, moving easily, and the brass butt plate is in fine condition, all as shown in in the pictures.

This Sharps & Hankins Model 1862 rimfire carbine is a fine, original arm of the Civil War Federal Navy and would surely enhance any naval display or collection of arms. This is the best example of an original cover that we have ever seen, and are unlikely to find a better one anytime soon. Ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1863-64
Caliber: .52"
Cartridge Type: Rimfire
Barrel Length: 23 3/4 Inches
Overall Length: 40 5/8 Inches
Action type: Lever action Sliding Breech
Feed System: Single Shot

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