This lot features an Unaltered Civil War Sharps New Model 1863 .52 Percussion Rifle. One of the most popular and successful of the cavalry carbines was the Sharps breech loader. Capable of firing a grooved bullet in a combustible black powder loaded paper cartridge—or single loaded with lead slug with loose powder behind and a percussion cap—the Sharps gained a rapid reputation as a reliable, accurate, powerful, and fast firing weapon. Troops armed with single shot muzzle loading muskets were no match for the new breech loaders designed by Christian Sharps. After the Civil War, many of these battle proven weapons went to the western frontier. Most of the New Model Sharps rifles and carbines were later converted to fire the standard .50-70 metallic cartridge and reissued for Indian War use. Hence, those in original and unaltered percussion ignition from the Civil War are very scarce and desirable arms on the antique collector market today. The barrel retains a very faint “NEW MODEL 1863” barrel stamp just ahead of the receiver. The rifle is marked on the top of the barrel "R. S. Lawrence Patented FEB 15th 1869" and the side of the frame reading, "R.S. Lawrence Pat April 12th 1859", with the date faded, and "C Sharps PAT OCT 5th 1852". Mostly gray/brown patina metal with correct Lawrence marked ladder rear sight with slide intact (often missing), correct front sight, original fore-end and butt stock that shows a typical frontier or field repair, lever locking latch, along with sling ring and bar intact. Serial Number: 77416. This firearm qualifies as an antique and does not require FFL Transfer or NICS Background Check.