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INDIAN WARS SHARPS CARBINE METALLIC CARTRIDGE CONVERSION

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Starting in 1867 the government started upgrading rifles and carbines to take metallic cartridges. This included some 31,098 Sharps carbines, New Model 1859, 1863 and 1865 patterns, which were taken back in and altered by Sharps to take .50-70 metallic centerfire cartridges. These were first issued for field use in October 1868 and by December 1870 U.S. cavalry regiments were armed about equally with Sharps and Spencer carbines, with Sharps mainly in the hands of the 2^nd, 3^rd, 5^th, 7^th, and 8^th regiments. The balance shifted significantly in favor of the Sharps over the next three years, with all ten regiments almost entirely armed with Sharps carbines: a total of 8,130 versus just 162 Spencers, by June 1873.

This one is serial number 63511, toward the upper end of the purely New Model 1859 range, which Marcot et al. put at #59000 +/- but others peg at about 71000, overlapping from there forward with the New Model 1863, whose early versions retained the patchbox, until about 80000 (Marcot et al. note NM1859 numbered 80894.) The carbine rates fair to good for condition as a carbine that saw issue and use in the Civil War and reissue as a conversion for further service in the Indian Wars. The parts are all original. The sights and sling bar and ring are in place. The rear sight is complete. As part of the alteration the carbine was cleaned and refinished leading to loss of most markings. The barrel surface retains smooth metal with its arsenal refinished muted blue color, with the barrel band showing more brown, and now lacks any markings with the exception of a small indentation forward of the rear sight that might be the remnants of the Sharps address. The bore was also relined for the reduced caliber and shows three broad grooves of rifling as is correct. A few letters can be made out from the markings on either side of the receiver and on the lock plate. The rear sight is in place and complete. Its Lawrence patent base marking is partially visible. The top of the receiver and collar show some dings and are brown in tone, mostly smooth metal but with pinprick pitting on the lock plate and freckling elsewhere. The patchbox is good and shows some faint blue. The butt plate shows some thin brown rust and crustiness.

The buttstock shows various dings and divots, with some small chips. That the buttstock still has its patchbox indicates it is the original wartime stock since replacement stocks lacked them, and the DFC reinspection mark of David F. Clark is very clear, indicating he had accepted it. The forestock shows a slightly lighter brown tone and in better condition, indicating it is likely a replacement made during the conversion. The mechanics are good. The bore is clean, though showing some light pitting near the breach.

These carbines saw a good deal of use in the frontier army and early plains wars. The wear on this one indicates it saw continued service for some time after the end of the Civil War and would make a good addition to a collection of cavalry carbines or display concentrating on the postwar army and the early conflicts with the plains Indians.  [sr][ph:L]

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire.

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