3275

INTENSELY HISTORIC M1853 SHARPS SLANT BREECH

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 9,000.00 USD
INTENSELY HISTORIC M1853 SHARPS SLANT BREECH

CARBINE BELONGING TO J. E. WEIGE OF THE 2ND U.S. CAVALRY. Cal. 52. S# 16058. Bbl. measures 21 1/2". The M1853 Sharps is often referred to as the "John Brown Sharps" or alternatively, a "Beecher's Bible" because at least 900 carbines in the serial range from 10,000 to 18,000 were sent abolitionist organizations in Kansas with ties to John Brown. Reportedly, the crates containing the guns were marked "PLOWS AND BIBLES". This M1853 Sharps carbine belonged to Corporal John Weige and his name is boldly engraved on the patchbox along with his unit, the 2nd US Cavalry. Corporal Weige enlisted in the 2nd US Cavalry in 1855. On March 8, 1856 at the Battle of Guadalupe River, Corporal Weige was "distinguished for gallant conduct" fighting on the Texas frontier against Comanches. His commanding officer at the time was Colonel Robert E. Lee. Other well known officers of the 2nd Cavalry, during Corporal Weige's service, included Albert Sydney Johnson, William Kirby Smith, John Bell Hood, Earl Van Dorne and George H. Thomas. Weige left the 2nd US Cavalry in May of 1860 and returned home to Baltimore, Maryland. It is likely that Weige, under the name Feige, served in the 1st and 2nd Confederate Maryland Cavalry but more research is needed to confirm this. Upon Feige's discharge from Confederate service, a John Weige reenlisted in the Union 2nd Maryland Infantry as a replacement for prominent Baltimore attorney, William Nagle. Weige was captured during the Siege of Petersburg and was apparently seriously wounded. He was paroled and appears at a hospital in Annapolis, Maryland in late 1864. He rejoined the regiment on January 3, 1865 and mustered out on July 17, 1865. He then reenlisted in the 5th US Cavalry and was redeployed to the West to again fight Indians. This Sharps is marked "SHARPS RIFLE MANUFG. CO. HARTFORD. CONN" on the top of the barrel and "SHARPS PATENT 1848" & "16058", near the barrel tang. The lockplate is marked "SHARPS PATENT 1852". All metal on the gun is iron with the exception of the patchbox, buttplate and barrel band. The patchbox is engraved, in large letters "2ND US CAVALRY J E WEIGE". There is a very old folded receipt in the patchbox, from many years ago, that lists the selling price of the gun at $730.00, likely a fortune when the receipt was written. The top of the buttplate is engraved in large letters "US". Walnut stock and forend with the outline of a cartouche remaining. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: abundant research documents provided by Nancy Dearing-Rossbacher of North South Trader magazine on Corporal John Weige and the Sharps carbine. CONDITION: this carbine is visually gorgeous to the historian. It has seen years of field use but was well cared for by Corporal Weige. The gun has been partially refinished and has seen minor restorations. The mechanics need some attention as it will not hold full cock and the cap advance mechanism is frozen. (01-21352/BF). $6,000-9,000.