Make: Sharps Rifle Mfg. Co.

Model: Sharps New Model 1863 Carbine

Serial#: 63272

Year of Manufacture: Circa 1863-1865, Antique

Caliber: .50-70 Govt. – Conversion

Action Type: Single Shot, Lever-Action Falling Block Rifle

Barrel Length: 22”

Sights/ Optics: There is a fixed base with a fixed brass blade and a folding ladder which presents a V-notch in the down position and when raised presents a fixed V at the top, an aperture, a V-notch slider and a V-notch at the bottom.

Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The stocks are two piece wood featuring a forend secured by a barrel band and retaining screw, a straight wrist, a straight comb and a semi-crescent butt-plate. A sling bar with a saddle ring is also present. The stock has heavy handling marks, nicks and scuffs. There are some notable cuts in the left side of the forend, a few deep gashes and scrapes throughout, and losses at the wrist where the receiver forms the top tang. The losses have been filled. There is a deep cut on the left side of the wrist. The LOP is 13 3/4” from the trigger to the rear of the butt plate. The buttplate is dark with patina, corrosion, and oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in Good condition for an antique and repaired.

Type of Finish: Case Color and Blued

Finish Originality: Original to Conversion

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright. The rifling is sharp where not interrupted by erosion. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 6/10.

Most antique firearms have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the use of black powder. When fired, black powder reacts corrosively. NRA Antique Firearm Conditions Standards are quite lenient for bores. In some cases the NRA standards disregarded the bore’s condition for collectors firearms.

Overall Condition: The rifle retains about 25% of its metal finish. The remaining case color on the receiver has taken a nickel appearance. Most of the metal has gone to a dark mottled patina with spots of corrosion and oxidation throughout. The screwheads are range from tool marked to disfigured but remain serviceable. The markings are somewhat faded in some areas and faded completely in others. Overall, the rifle is in Good condition for an antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements,

Box Paperwork and Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: The Sharps Carbine was a percussion ignition breech-loader that was carried by cavalrymen during the American Civil War. By the end of the four-year conflict the superiority of breech-loaded weaponry had become clear, but the percussion ignition system was showing its obsolescence and new firing mechanisms were developed. Among a number of Civil-War vintage surplus, a number of Sharps Carbines were converted with firing pins and rechambered for several calibers. These conversions were both carried out at Springfield Armory and also done by private companies.

This particular specimen appears to have had its barrel relined as the serials match on the receiver and barrel. The gun is chambered for .50-70 Govt and despite some superficial wear it remains both aesthetically pleasing and mechanically sound. This is a solid option for historical firearms collectors and quite rare to find one of these rifles with such a good bore and finish remaining.