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1863 (1869 Conversion) Sharps Carbine
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Author:  C&RFAN [ Mon Jun 16, 2014 8:35 pm ]
Post subject:  1863 (1869 Conversion) Sharps Carbine

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

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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.

This carbine has the serial number 880++.

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 butt-plate that does have a cutout.

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In checking the info available in the archives and collection at Springfield Armory I 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 if this carbine might be one of those??

Some years back I bought some 50/70 cases from Dixie Gun Works and loaded them up with light black powder loads and 50 cal cast bullets that I have for my 50 TC Hawken. The carbine shot fine, but I'm not into hand loading 50 cal black powder loads on a regular basis.

Author:  NebrHogger [ Mon Jun 16, 2014 8:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1863 (1869 Conversion) Sharps Carbine

Great Sharps! SW

Author:  Herr Mario [ Mon Jun 16, 2014 9:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1863 (1869 Conversion) Sharps Carbine

.... :-o .....fantastic chunk of history to own... ;) :welcome:

Author:  tenboremag [ Mon Jun 16, 2014 11:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1863 (1869 Conversion) Sharps Carbine

Very nice! Love to have one.

Author:  A square 10 [ Tue Jun 17, 2014 10:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1863 (1869 Conversion) Sharps Carbine

super carbine , congrats , never - ever had a chance at one myself

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