.52 caliber. 22" barrel secured by a single spring-retained barrel band. SN: 72299. Blued and color casehardened finish, walnut buttstock with iron patchbox and smooth forend with single barrel band. Single shot percussion ignition breechloading carbine with Lawrence's patent pellet priming system, folding ladder military rear sight, German silver front sight blade, and saddle bar and ring on the reverse of the frame. Lock with usual Sharps and Lawrence patent information, reverse frame with 1848 Sharps patent marking. Barrel marked NEW MODEL 1863 forward of receiver and with three line Sharps address forward of rear sight. Two legible script cartouches are present opposite the lock, above and below the sling bar. Both are the GC of arsenal sub-inspector George Curtis. A block TWR inspection is present on the left barrel flat as well. The matching serial number 72299 is present on the barrel, under the forend. While this gun did not appear in the Springfield Reserach Service 4 volume set of serial numbers the three closest numbers are #72264 and #72304, both issued to the 15th PA Cavalry and #72310, issued to the 1st IA Cavalry. A scarce "transition" carbine, in the range of the change over in configuration and markings from the New Model 1859 to the New Model 1863. This gun bears the NM1863 markings but retains the NM1859 patchbox.