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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 113 (Nepalese symbols) on top of barrel. The rifle is .52 and has a 40" barrel with very good bore. Overall metal finish is a mottled grey patina. The lock and hammer have some minor pitting and has an incomplete pellet priming mechanism. Action is strong and trigger pull heavy. None of the Nepalese guns had complete pellet primer mechanisms. Stocks are in overall good condition, with some small loss along barrel line and a pinned crack in comb of buttstock. A rare and interesting rifle for the collector of 19th century military rifles. Been looking for the YouTube video that at one time was on Sharps Facebook page. **As with all antique guns, it should be examined by a competent gunsmith before firing.** $1800 + Shipping.
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