^Lot 3497 SCARCE & DAINTY FACTORY ENGRAVED & INSCRIBED C.

SHARPS PISTOL ACTION BREECHLOADING PERCUSSION RIFLE. Cal. 31. S# 119. Bbl. 28" rnd. with dovetailed mounted semi-circular blade front sight, 7/8" tube rear sight with V-notch blade mounted 9" forward of the breech end of the bbl. Bbl. is inscribed "E. A. Rawlins Berry Hill, VA.". Standard model pistol rifle action without ramrod and having iron mountings. Action, hammer, lever, grip cap, crescent steel buttplate, and circular lid iron patchbox have arabesque scroll factory engraving with punch dot backgrounds. Patchbox lid features what appears to be a running and snarling mountain lion. Estimated production of approx. 600, these scarce and unusual weapons are hard to find and highly prized by collectors. Edwin Albin Rawlins (1823-1871) born at the Berry Hill estate in Mecklenburg, VA. The Rawlins family were wealthy Virginia planters of tobacco and were part of the "Tobacco Aristocracy". Census and tax records from 1860 list E.A. Rawlins as a significant slaveholder. While Rawlins managed the estate during the Civil War, his family, including son Louis Murray Rawlins, had a strong military tradition with many serving in Confederate VA regiments and Louis later becoming a Major in the Spanish-American War. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: 2 letters addressed to Greenberg from institutions attempting to find information on "E.A. Rawlins". Also included is a March 1994 and a 2003 Vol. 3 of the Confederate Veteran magazine. CONDITION: bbl. retains 80% dull blue fading to brown showing handling marks with spotted corrosion. Action and fittings have faded to gray and retain distinct engraving. Stock has lightly worn finish showing scratches and marks. Sound action. Bore is generally bright, exhibiting scattered spots of mild pitting, while retaining strong rifling throughout. PROVENANCE: The Esteemed Norm Greenberg Collection. (01-27764/DS). ANTIQUE. $5,000-10,000.