Early Sharps rifles like this factory sporting rifle helped establish breech loading firearms in the U.S. and led to Sharps rifles and carbines being among the most significant firearms of the Civil War era and the settlement of the West after the war. Approximately 2,970 Model 1853 Sporting Rifles were manufactured between 1854-1859 in a variety of configurations. In "Sharps Firearms," Frank Sellers lists 455 sporting rifles chambered in "32 bore" (.52 caliber) with round barrels and plain finish. This group would have included a variety of barrel lengths and other features. This rifle features a dovetail blade front sight, Lawrence patent folding ladder rear sight, pewter forearm cap and iron patch box on the right side of the buttstock. Matching serial number "20945" visible on top of the receiver, underside of the barrel (next to a crossed out number), rear flat of the forend, underside of the patchbox door, and underside of the buttplate. The stock and forend are straight grain American walnut with a pewter forend tip, brass patch box, and buttplate.