Original Sharps M1863 Conversion Carbine W/ Saddle Wear!

Your Price: $0.00

Availability: Out of Stock

The item you are trying to purchase is currently out of stock.
Please enter your name, email, and phone number below.
We will contact you as soon as this product is available.

Name: *

Email: *

Phone: *

Verification: *

Type the word above...

Description

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. This M1863 Sharps carbine is a very early production. It's low serial number places its year of manufacture in early 1863. 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 to some Union cavalryman. It's the very definition of what is meant by the phrase, "if this gun could talk..."

As this is a conversion carbine, there are two sets of cartouches on the stock. The first set is faint and can be found under the saddle bar. These are the original inspector's marks applied to the stock at the time it was manufactured during the Civil War. The second set can be found in the middle of the stock and is much more legible as it was applied after the war after the conversion to 50-70 cartridge was completed. Stocks with both Civil War and conversion cartouches are very rare as most converted carbine feature replacement stocks.

The cartouches also tell another story; a story which verifies that the saddle wear on the stock was sustained from time in the saddle during the Civil War, and not as a result of any usage after the gun was converted. In looking at the location of the inspector stamp that the arsenal applied after the carbine was converted, it's evident that the inspector deliberately applied the cartouche closer to the wrist of the stock in an effort to avoid the worn portion of the stock that had been effected by the cavalry hook. This is especially evident when comparing the location of the inspectors stamp on this stock with those of other converted Sharps whose cartouches were applied smack-dab in the middle of the butt. Seeing as how the arsenal conversions of the Sharps carbines were performed almost immediately after the Civil War ended, there is no other logical explanation for the stock's saddle wear than to assume it occurred during the war.

The metal components of this carbine are also in great shape and retain some of their original finish while all of the original stamps and 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 firing pin is functional; not seized. The extractor is in excellent condition and works flawlessly.

The barrel and bore are both in great shape. Both front and rear sights are original and functional; unmodified. The maker's stamps on the barrel are still present and mostly legible. The bore is above average for a Sharps Conversion - mostly shiny with strong rifle but with some scattered pitting near the breech.

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.

M1841 Colt Altered Mississippi Rifle W/ Relined Barrel - Ohio Marked!

Out of Stock

Add To Cart

Excellent Smith Carbine

$2,495.00

Out of Stock

Add To Cart

Custom Defarbed LeMat Revolver - Finished "As New"

Out of Stock

Add To Cart

Original Sharps M1863 Conversion Carbine W/ Saddle Wear!

Related Items