1863 (1869 Conversion) Sharps Carbine

[c&rfan]

A relative who lived in New Mexico gave this carbine to my father back in the late 1930s.

I've done a little research on this carbine and found the following:

From U.S. MILITARY ARMS, Dates of Manufacture, From 1795, Collectors Edition, By George Madis: Sharps 1859-1865 MODEL: Over 100,000 guns of these models were purchased by the U.S. between 1860 and 1865. Serial numbers from near 3000 to 100000. Thereafter the letter "C" indicates 100000, for example, "C 200" would be the serial number 100200.

(The bright blue screw in the above photo is a replacement for one that was missing when my Dad received the carbine.)

Since the carbine has been converted to 50/70 I researched further and found this information in Sharps Rifle, The Gun That Shaped American Destiny by Martin Rywell:

1869 Cartridge Carbine. Cal. 50 reduced from 52 cal. because the bbls. were relined. The bbls. were bored out, a liner inserted, and then rifled. The lining job was done at Springfield Armory. Bbl: 22" Overall: 39" Weight 9lbs. 9 oz. These were 31,098 Civil War guns altered between Feb. 1868 and Oct., 1869 by Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Co. for the government according to the contract Nov. 2, 1867. A new breech block replaced the percussion type.

In the case of my carbine, the alteration also included the replacement of the shoulder stock with one without a cutout for the patch-box (or coffee grinder) as evidenced by the use of the original steel butplate that does have a cutout.

I was checking the info available in the archives and collection at Springfield Armory and found a notation regarding a converted New Model 1863 in their collection to the effect that some of these Sharps Carbines may have been used by New Mexico Territory Volunteers in the Spanish American War. Makes one wonder about the history of this one??

I bought some 50/70 cases from Dixie Gun Works and loaded them up with some light black powder loads and 50 cal bullets that I have for my 50 TC Hawken. The carbine shoots o.k. but I'm not into handloading 50 cal black powder loads.

The bore has sharp rifling although dark and rough in places. Any suggestions regarding the value of this old timer would be appreciated.

Information

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[Alkali]

c&rfan - Very nice photos. Glad to see that nobody took it upon themselves to "improve" it over the years by sanding, refinishing, or overcleaning.

I also have one of these .50-70 carbines. Mine was just recently found in the attic space of a derelict building being torn down near Roswell. Condition wise yours is far superior to mine, but it will be treasured nontheless.

[c&rfan]

Mine was just recently found in the attic space of a derelict building being torn down near Roswell.

The relative that gave this carbine to my Dad was living between Las Cruces and Old Mesilla at the time.