BRITISH USED SHARPS CARBINE.

A very nice example of the Sharps model 1855 cavalry carbine. Calibre .577, produced in the period 1855 to 57, a total quantity of 6,000 of the breech loading percussion carbine with the Maynard patent tape primer. Barrel tang marked ‘Sharps Patent 1848, brass butt plate tang marked ‘6-D’ over ‘687’ (6th Drgoons Carbine Rack Gun number 687). An unofficial silver ornate panel at the lower side of the butt stock. Saddle ring bar, iron barrel band, walnut stock. Good old repair to the wood stock just to the right of the tang. These carbines saw service within the British Empire and some made their way back to the US during the Civil War. The 6th Dragoons would have been issued with these carbines in India during the period covered by the Indian Mutiny May 1857 to 1859, they were part of the Heavy Brigade at Balaclava, Inkerman and Sepastapol, the carbine issued from 1857 in India. Finish cleaned overall. All sliding block and trigger action plus hammer all fully functioning. An evocative weapon from the days of the Mutiny. British proof marks to the barrel, slip up rear sight.

Code: 77563