Scarce original Sharps Model 1851 Military carbine.

Scarce original Sharps Model 1851 Military carbine.
This rare Sharps Model 1851 Military carbine is manufactured from 1852-55 with a total production of about 1,857, some of which were sold on U.S. Army and U.S. Navy contracts. They were known as the "Box Lock" Carbine and were made by Robbins & Lawrence for Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Co. and carried the Sharps name. This is a breech loading 32 bore (.526 caliber), paper cartridge with grooved lead bullet with a 21 ½ inch round barrel with six groove rifling, percussion carbine, using Maynard tape primer contained under a hinged trapdoor on the front of the lock. It has a slanted breechblock. The barrel has an equal tabaco brown color and is unmarked which is correct for the early carbines, the upper tang is marked:
“C. SHARPS/PATENT/1848"
followed by the serial number “21” and the primer cover is marked:
"EDWARD MAYNARD/PATENTEE/1845"
It has the correct brass blade front sight and folding "squirrel ear" rear sight. The forearm is mounted with a single brass barrel band and the stock has a brass butt-plate which is correct for the military carbines. The fore-end and stock are still in great condition with a nice dark brown color, with a minor repair on the right side wrist, the stock has “147” stamped in it on the left side near the butt-plate. This is a military unit rack number. Addition Sharps Model 1851’s were purchased by the Ordnance Department and were being issued during the Civil War. Lots of information regarding this is written in "SHARPS FIREARMS, The percussion era 1848-1865 - Volume I". This carbine is still in perfect working order with a new like six groove bore.
These rare early carbines are well sought after by collectors in any condition.