Guns International #: 102471740
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Guns International #: 102471740
Category - Sharps Rifles - Antique
- Civil War Rifles
Seller's Information
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Seller: Jeremiah Johnson Trading
Company: Jeremiah Johnson Trading Member Since: 1/27/12
First Name: Greg
Last Name: Schimetschek
State:
Connecticut
Zip: 06423
Country: United States
Phone: (860) 873-1092
Active Listings: 4
Total Listings: 217
Seller Type:Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns and accessories.
3 days Payment Methods: Check (personal checks take 7-10 days to clear), money order, credit card (no fee), or wire
About Us: Jeremiah Johnson Trading is one of the most experienced and trusted dealers of pre-1899 antique arms with over 40 years of collecting. We specialize in Colt, Winchester, Remington, Smith & Wesson, Parker, large-bore fowling guns, Revolutionary & Civil War arms, collectible Bowie & folding knives and more! We are also avid collectors of historic race cars & memorabilia. Visit us online at jeremiahjohnsontrading or find us on Facebook and Instagram.
New Model 1859 Sharps Percussion US Navy Civil War Rifle - 1st SN of Mitchell Contract USN Inspected USS Pensacola HISTORY
Description: Very Rare & Intriguing First Mitchell Contract Lt. Francis A. Roe Inspected Civil War New Model 1859 Sharps Percussion US Navy Rifle Attributed to The USS Pensacola, .52 Cal, mfg. 1861. In late 1859 the United States Navy contracted for 900 New Model Sharps military rifles which were delivered just in time for the outbreak of war in April 1861. On June 4th the Navy reached out to Sharps agent John J. Mitchell in Washington D.C. for an additional 1,500 rifles equipped with saber bayonets to be immediately delivered to USN shipyards at Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. Amazingly just six weeks later in early August the guns were all delivered. Mitchell contract Navy rifles are known to fall between serial numbers 39436-42500 making this gun, serial number 39436, the very first Sharps made for the contract. The rifles were not officially inspected or marked for the Navy however a few inexplicably exist, including our subject rifle, which are stamped "USN / I / FAR" on the buttstock above the patchbox. The steam sloop USS Pensacola is one of the few ships identified as having been issued Sharps rifles from the Mitchell contract and it just so happens USN ordnance inspector Lt. Francis A. Roe became Executive Officer of the ship in August 1861 just as the rifles were being delivered. It would seem that Roe took it upon himself to personally inspect those rifles which were being issued to his ship. Roe served aboard the Pensacola during the famous campaign to seize New Orleans and the lower Mississippi River and was promoted to Lieutenant Commander in August 1862 by which time he was placed in command of the USS Katahdin. In May 1864 he famously battled the Confederate ironclad Albemarle and finished the war as commander of the gunboat Michigan. Roe received the rank of Rear Admiral in 1884. The rifle remains in a fascinating totally unmolested near-relic state and I suspect it spent some time exposed to the elements or was perhaps even recovered from a shipwreck early on. The metal has a textured dark rust/plum appearance overall with some faint patent markings visible and serial number "39436" legible on the upper tang. The stock shows heavy wear throughout with a dark blackened patina. There is a small chip ahead of the buttplate tang and just behind the lock with a portion of wood missing under the forearm ahead of the frame accompanied by a crack which extends to the first barrel band. The second barrel band is missing and the third is resting slightly ahead of the spring where someone slid it well over a century ago. Original buttplate, patchbox (opens and snaps shut nicely), hammer, trigger, lever, flip-up ladder rear sight (flips up but elevator frozen), post front sight, and saber bayonet lug. The rear sling swivel is broken away and the hammer screw is missing. The hammer cocks and releases crisply and securely and the original nipple is intact. The breechblock is frozen in place and the link between the lever and breechblock is missing. The lever freely opens, the locking nut functions properly, and the trigger has good spring tension. Complete Maynard priming system is intact. Bore is rusty with six-groove rifling visible. A super neat and super rare Civil War Sharps that absolutely saw battle at sea likely aboard the USS Pensacola. Because this gun is so pure and honest and has never been fooled with I would highly advise against any restoration. It's really an artifact and should be appreciated as such. One gun I truly wish could talk! Jeremiah Johnson Trading sells antique arms manufactured prior to 1899 and muzzleloading blackpowder reproductions only. For the purpose of these conditions the term "antique arms" will also include muzzleloading blackpowder reproductions. Buyers must be 21 years of age or older and have no felony convictions to purchase antique arms. Antique arms do not require Federal licensing and may be shipped directly to the buyer with the following exceptions. No antique arms will be shipped to Washington D. C. or any of the five boroughs of New York City (or residents thereof). Some restrictions may apply to antique firearms shipped to California and will be noted in the item description if applicable. Any antique arms shipped to New Jersey must ship to a licensed FFL holder, no exceptions. Any muzzleloading blackpowder reproduction rifle, shotgun, or handgun shipped to Illinois must ship to an FFL holder. Items containing antique ivory will not be sold or shipped to residents of California, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, or Washington. Antique muzzleloaders and antiques which fire obsolete cartridges may be shipped internationally however it is the responsibility of the buyer to know and abide by their local laws and provide proof that the antique arm is legal to receive and own. Payment can be made by money order, banker's check, personal check, credit card (no additional fees), or bank wire. Please allow 7-10 business days for clearance on personal checks. If paying by credit card please call us directly to process your order. Items are professionally packed and shipped USPS Priority Mail with insurance coverage for the sale price and signature required for delivery. Items valued over $5,000.00 are shipped Registered Mail. Buyer pays actual shipping costs with no added charge for packing materials or handling. We describe items accurately and thoroughly. If an item has been misrepresented or significant defect overlooked you may return it for a full refund (minus return shipping costs) within 3 days of having received it. This timeframe begins once the package is delivered by the carrier. Buyer's remorse or concerns over issues noted in the description and/or pictures is not a valid excuse for return. Returned items must be received in the same condition as originally shipped - cleaning, disassembly, alteration, or damage of any kind will void inspection privileges. Occasionally a post-1898 firearm from my personal collection may be sold under this account and any such transaction is a personal sale in no way affiliated with Jeremiah Johnson Trading. Any such arm will be shipped to a licensed FFL or C&R holder in accordance with Federal law. All antique arms are sold as collector's items and are not warranted safe for shooting. Please consult a competent gunsmith prior to shooting any firearm. SOLD Antique: Yes Rifle Caliber: .52 Manufacturer: Sharps Model: New Model 1859 Military Serial Number: 39436 Barrel Length: 30 Manufacture Date: 1861 |
Guns International #: 102471740
Guns International #: 102471740