Civil War Sharps New Model 1859 Cavalry Carbine

Serial #35352, .52 Caliber, 22" barrel with a fine, bright bore that has traces of mild freckling within the grooves. This is a late production, iron-mounted carbine that has an overall plum-brown patina on the barrel, with some reapplied blue on the protected areas of the barrel (renumbered to match under the forend), and pinprick pitting along the top of the barrel from the receiver to the barrel band. The frame has a dark patina with muted original color case-hardening present throughout. There is practically no corrosion or pitting along the top of the breechblock on or around the nipple, and only some traces of freckling on the wrist tangs, and outside curves of the lever. The walnut forend and buttstock are in very good shape with some light handling marks and blemishes in the nicely added military oil finish. There is a very short, with-the-grain crack on the left side of the wrist at the frame juncture just above the faint, but still legible "RHKW" cartouche (Robert H. K. Whiteley). Additionally, there is a refreshed "EAW" cartouche (Elijah A. Williams) below the mostly gray metal sling bar, which is also inspector stamped "EAW" on the mounting plate. This is a handsome Civil War era Sharps carbine, in very good condition overall. Antique