Carbine - an extremely scarce and interesting British Army S...

Hammer

£1,600

Carbine - an extremely scarce and interesting British Army Sharps Model 1855 British Cavalry Carbine, .577 Calibre. Barrel 19" (3000 delivered to the British Cavalry in India for use in the Indian Mutiny). Brass butt cap, tang regimentally marked to the 6th Dragoons "6.D" who were involved in the operations at Delhi. In the aftermath the 6/Dns were used as police to round up mutineers and keep the peace. Carbine is a breech loader and employs the Maynard Tape Primer for ignition (primer stamped "Edward Maynard Patented 1845"), barrel tang stamped "Sharps Patent 1848", British proofs to barrel. Brass butt plate & patchbox, iron barrel band. Folding leaf rearsights. Lock in GWO and operates on both 1st and 2nd cock. Polished walnut stock with some age wear. Number of these carbines were returned to the USA for use in the Civil War. This carbine has a solid silver plate added to the butt stock as a decoration. Some minor wear to stock and an old armourers repair at the lock tang. Sling ring bar and ring, polished walnut stock. Hard to find and scarce piece. Obsolete calibre, no licence required