It's not very often that we get the opportunity to offer a Civil War era carbine that has as much obvious battle-usage and time-in-the-saddle as this one, as this carbine. The stock is in good shape with some minor dings and dents and no chips or cracks. The stock's most interesting feature is the tell-tale rub-marks on the left side that are made from spending countless hours attached to a Cavalry Sling Hook while slung over the shoulder of a mounted cavalryman. These distinct stock markings are one of the only sure-fire way to differentiate between a carbine was actually issued to a combat unit, and one that spent most of the war in a crate at some storage depot. Just one glance at the stock of this carbine reveals it to be a faithful battle rifle. It's the very definition of what is meant by the phrase, "if this gun could talk..."
This Sharps is one of the few surviving guns that was left in its original percussion configuration and not converted after the war like most M1863's. This further reinforces the fact that the wear pattern on the butt stock resulted from Civil War usage as it was not re-issued after the war as evidenced by the fact that it was never arsenal-converted. Furthermore, this carbine is only five numbers away from an I.D.'d Sharps that was issued to the 13th New York Volunteer Cavalry (this gun's serial number is 92723, while the I.D'd carbine is 92728)
Further adding to this gun's provenance as a combat-used weapon is the Confederate "Captured and Reissued" stamp found on the belly of the weapon's butt stock. The practice of collecting, repairing and re-issuing battlefield-collected weapons is described in thorough detail in Steven W. Knott's excellent book, "Captured & Collected" Confederate Reissued Firearms. The Confederate Army's desperation for modern weaponry lead to the creation of special ordnance teams to salvage usable arms from battlefields after the fighting had ended. By 1864, the Confederate government had also begun to pay civilians for weapons that were collected from battlefields. Special premiums were even paid for cavalry carbines; so it's no surprise that this Sharps was turned in. These captured arms were sent to one of four repair shops; Richmond being the largest. The weapons were repaired and approved for reissue with the application of single initial stamped on the stock. This inspector's stamp corresponded to the name of shop's head Ordnance officer. In the case of Richmond, the Ordnance Officer in charge of the repair and reissue of battlefield-captured guns was Louis Zimmer. Zimmer's inspection stamp can be found on the belly of this Carbine's butt stock in the form of a letter "Z".
Many Captured and Reissued Confederate weapons simply required a light cleaning in order to pass inspection. Others, required more extensive repairs. Due to the lack of Federal cartouches on the butt stock of this carbine, we'd speculate that this carbine probably arrived in Richmond with a broken stock and was fit for a replacement at the Confederate repair shop. After completing the work, the weapon would have been tested for functionality and then approved for re-issue by Zimmer before it was shipped off for issuance in the Army of Northern Virginia for the defense of Richmond.
The metal components of this carbine are also in great shape and all of the original markings remain crisp and legible. The lock fuctions flawlessly on both full and half cock. The lock plate stamps are all crisp and legible.The block locks up nice and tight with no slop or play in the breech.
The barrel and bore are both in good shape. Both front and rear sights are original and functional; although the rear sight slide is missing. The bore is good with strong rifling only a few areas of very minor "frosting".
All the hardware is original and matching with a great light patina and no rust. No military rifle collection is complete without a Sharps and this carbine has such a great history. Its sure to spark many a conversation among your collecting friends.
