vmicraig
Sergeant
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2018
- Location
- London, England
This is the Army companion to my previously posted Navy model. As previously noted, the Navy model primarily differs in that it bears a leather covered barrel, as well as a USN stamp at the heel of the stock. This S&H Army carbine is a bare-barreled .52 caliber breechloader produced by the Sharps and Hankins Company, Philadelphia. The carbines (all variants) were made between 1862-1865 with an approximate total of 8,000 produced in 4 variants:
- 19" barrel Army cavalry carbine
- 24" barrel Army cavalry carbine
- 24" leather covered barrel Navy carbine
- 32 3/4" barrel Army rifle
n 1862, founder Christian Sharps partnered with William Hankins and formed a new company known simply as Sharps and Hankins (S&H). There he produced four-barrel pepperboxes and single shot breech loading rifles and carbines, although the majority of the production was devoted to military work. The partnership was dissolved in 1866 and Sharps reverted to the C. Sharps & Company name.
By official records, the Army purchased approximately 200 “Army Model” carbines from the estimated 500 produced. A few of the Army models were made experimentally in other calibers, but authenticated specimens are rare. In addition to the Army and Navy models, a shorter Cavalry model was produced with a 19” barrel, sometimes found with Navy markings.
The 52 caliber rimfire carbine employed a metal cartridge which was loaded by sliding the barrel forward using a loading lever on the underside, secured by a small latch inside the lever which can be awkward to operate. Standard features include a brass buttplate, iron loading lever, unique hinged sight; the metal forearm is an extension of the block. Carbines had a single strap hook on the butt and a rifled bore with 12 lands & grooves.
Markings include serial number 799 with "SHARPS / & / HANKINS / PHILADA" on the right side. Mark on left side: "SHARPS / PATENT / 1859". Serial numbers were located on the rear tang and inside on the loading lever.
- 19" barrel Army cavalry carbine
- 24" barrel Army cavalry carbine
- 24" leather covered barrel Navy carbine
- 32 3/4" barrel Army rifle
n 1862, founder Christian Sharps partnered with William Hankins and formed a new company known simply as Sharps and Hankins (S&H). There he produced four-barrel pepperboxes and single shot breech loading rifles and carbines, although the majority of the production was devoted to military work. The partnership was dissolved in 1866 and Sharps reverted to the C. Sharps & Company name.
By official records, the Army purchased approximately 200 “Army Model” carbines from the estimated 500 produced. A few of the Army models were made experimentally in other calibers, but authenticated specimens are rare. In addition to the Army and Navy models, a shorter Cavalry model was produced with a 19” barrel, sometimes found with Navy markings.
The 52 caliber rimfire carbine employed a metal cartridge which was loaded by sliding the barrel forward using a loading lever on the underside, secured by a small latch inside the lever which can be awkward to operate. Standard features include a brass buttplate, iron loading lever, unique hinged sight; the metal forearm is an extension of the block. Carbines had a single strap hook on the butt and a rifled bore with 12 lands & grooves.
Markings include serial number 799 with "SHARPS / & / HANKINS / PHILADA" on the right side. Mark on left side: "SHARPS / PATENT / 1859". Serial numbers were located on the rear tang and inside on the loading lever.
Last edited: