Very early Sharps M1859 Carbine which falls in the the serial nos. that state of Georgia bought in 1860. They bought 1600 from Sharps & 400 from Commercial. The sharps M1859 carbines serial nos. started at 30000 & this carbine is 31912. According to CW Sharps Carbines & Rifles, Pg 8, the sharps that Georgia bought are in the SN range of 31000 & 36000. Georgia put these sharps  with the 1st & 5th Georgia Cavalry & the 2nd & 57th Georgia infantry & some state troops. In May 1860 & later the state of Virginia also bought 130 Sharps carbines which went into Virginia troops. This carbine has the brass barrel band intact & these early sharps had a brass patch box & Butt plate. This sharps looks to have had the back stock & butt plate changed at some time during the war. This was common as to the shortage of weapons in the war for the South. This sharps is a standard .52 cal. percussion caliber, straight breech carbine with no US inspectors marks. This sharps has the original brass barrel band on the barrel which is smooth metal & great patina & still has little of the original browning intact. Long range rear sight & standard front sight is intact. Rear sight is marked with R.S. Lawrence Patented Feb 15, 1859. Bottom of barrel stamped with the 31912 SN. The barrel has no M1859 Markings behind the rear sight. Markings on the barrel are Sharps Rifle Manufg Co. Hartford, Conn. Left side of breech marked C.Sharps Pat. Sept 12th 1848. Lock plate marked C.Sharps Pat. Oct 5th 1852 & lawrence Pat. April 12th 1859. Breech tang stamped 31912 Sn. Wood Back stock in good used condition with normal use dings & has no inspector cartouches. Back stock also has Saddle rub on right sight showing cavalry use. Front forearm has period soldier repair where it has been cracked. Really great example of a Confederate Georgia cavalry man used early M1859 sharps carbine which definetaly saw action.