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Reduced NOTE: This is the second one of these I have had, so copied and modified text. This is a rare and interesting rifle with some intriguing mysteries surrounding its genesis. What I know: It is one of a small number of foreign copies of the 1853 Sharps slant breech rifles and carbines purchased from the government of Nepal in the late 1990s by International Military Antiques (IMA) along with hundreds of other antique weapons dating to the 19th century. There were more Sharps carbine copies than rifle copies. The action is very well made, leading to speculation that they were made in either Britain, Belgium or, more intriguing, by the Confederacy late in the American Civil War. Some of the latter is based on wood samples from stocks identified as Honduran Mohogany. The assumption being that the Confederates used pre-war Mahogany furniture for the stocks. Research by authorities on Confederate weapons have uncovered no record of ANY model 1853 Sharps copies being manufactured by the Confederacy, but records are incomplete. As the action is devoid of markings, leave it up to your imagination. The only markings I could find was the number 234 (Nepalese symbols) on top of barrel. The rifle is .52 and has a 40" barrel with a good, shootable bore. Overall metal finish is a mottled grey patina. The lock and hammer have some minor pitting. It has an incomplete pellet priming mechanism, which is typical on Nepalese Sharps. Action is strong and trigger pull heavy. The action, as well as other parts of the rifle, retain traces of packing grease and need a deep cleaning, especiallythe trigger which is a bit sticky. Stocks are in overall good condition, with numerous bumps and scratches from long storage. Has a small arsenalrepairon right side behind front barrel band. LOP is 14 1/8". Rifle weighs about 10.5 lbs. A rare and interesting rifle for the collector of 19th century military rifles. **As with all antique guns, it should be examined by a competent gunsmith before firing.** $1200 + Shipping.
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