Sharps M1863

[Patrick Chadwick]

OK, not very good photos, but maybe it all helps!

First, the inspectors' cartouches.

Attachment 94503

As you can see, they have almost been obliterated.

Attachment 94504

One can tell that they are indeed cartouches, but they are no longer legible, as it is just about impossible to distinguish between the lines of curly script and the pores of the wood.

Quite impossible to photograph with my equipment, but by turning the stock to-and-fro under good light, the integrating effect of the eye leads me to think that the first letter of the top cartouche is a very curvy I , J or S. If anyone could post photos of good cartouches it would help to improve the guesswork!

As to the breech block here it is:

Attachment 94505

- With the inner, outer and side (cylindrical) surfaces of the gas plate/check.

Attachment 94506


Attachment 94507
Despite the condition of the exposed metal surfaces, these internal surfaces are in excellent condition. Note the fine finish on the cylindrical surface of the plate, and that there is NO slot to insert a screwdriver blade or similar and thus lever out the plate. Which leads me to think that it was not intended that the plate be removed after every shooting session.

Or maybe just a manufacturing oversight?

Anyway, this is a very fine rifle to shoot!