Sharps & Hankins Model 1862 Navy .52 Rimfire Single Shot Rifle, Antique
SOLD FOR: $831
WOA#: WY240120LC042
Make: Sharps & Hankins
Model: 1862 Navy
Serial Number: 8883
Year of Manufacture: 1862-1865
Caliber: .52 Rimfire
Action Type: Lever Actuated Barrel-Sliding Breech Loading Single Shot Rifle
Markings: The upper tang, barrel lug, bottom of the lever, and lever stopping piece are marked with the serial number “8883”. The left side of the receiver is marked “SHARPS / PATENT / 1859” and an inspection mark “P / OCB”. The right side of the receiver is marked “SHARPS / & / HANKINS / PHILADA.”.
Barrel Length: 24” No leather cover.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade slotted in a rectangular base that is banded and set screwed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a Sharps patent 1861 rear sight which is a V-notch piece that pins into a slotted elevator base.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The buttstock is smooth wood with a straight grip, straight grip, sling swivel in the belly, and a brass buttplate. The wood shows some scattered nicks, compressions, draglines, and scuffs. There are no chips. There is a very small crack front the tip of the lower tang to the sling swivel metal. The length of pull measures approximately 14″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The wood rates in about Fine condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue Case Hardened
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is somewhat bright and the rifling is sharp and deep. There is erosion in the grooves with some light pitting. For an antique bore it rates 7/10.
Most antique firearms have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but also to the use of black powder. When fired, black powder reacts corrosively. NRA Antique Firearm Conditions Standards are quite lenient for bores. In some cases, the NRA standards disregarded the bore’s condition for collector’s firearms.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 40% of its metal finish. Almost none of the case hardened finish remains on the receiver. The barrel retains most of the finish on this rifle but has thinned and turned to a patina mostly. There is no leather sleeve on the barrel. The hammer and upper tang show a mottled dark patina. There is some minor freckled pitting on the sides of the receiver but nothing deep enough to compromise the integrity of the steel. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marks with strong slots. The markings are legible for the most part. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine condition as Antique. The safety is removed.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrel locks up with no very light play. The safety has been removed. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Sharps & Hankins Model 1862 Carbine was a sliding breech action carbine made by Sharps & Hankins Co. in the 1860s and designed by Christian Sharps. The gun is a rimfire .52 caliber and was made in Philadelphia in a quantity of about 8,000. This firearm was patented on July 9, 1861 by Christian Sharps. The Navy version had a 24 inch barrel with a leather cover to protect the barrel from salt water, though removed on this rifle. It is rare to find these rifles with barrel covers that are in decent condition, as it is believed that these saw extensive use aboard various ships so it is no surprise that this one’s cover has been removed. The rifle itself is in about Fine condition with solid mechanics and a respectable bore. This is a fine and rare specimen to add to any Civil War era rifle condition. Please see our photos and good luck! – L.S.
