1863 Sharps Cavalry Carbine 50-70 Govt Centerfire Single Shot Rifle Antique
SOLD FOR: $2,125.99
LSB#: LSB260502BD009
Make: Sharps Rifle Co, Hartford, Conn
Model: 1863 Sharps Cavalry Carbine Cartridge Conversion
Serial Number: C27570
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1863-1865
Caliber: .50-70 Govt
Action Type: Single Shot, Lever Operated, Falling Block Action, Cartridge Conversion
Barrel Length: 22″
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “Sharps Rifle Manufg. Co, Hartford, Conn. New Model 1863”. The left side of the barrel is marked “F”. The left side of the receiver is marked “C. Sharps Pat, Sept 12th 1848”. The right side of the receiver is marked “R.S. Lawrence Pat, April 12th 1859/ C. Sharps’ Pat, Oct. 5th 1852”. The serial number is marked on the upper tang.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a silver blade pinned into a base soldered to the barrel. The rear sight is a folding V notch ladder sight screwed to the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is two piece smooth walnut, banded forend, straight grip, straight comb, and smooth steel buttplate. The buttplate is not original to the stock. The LOP is 14″ from trigger to buttplate. There is moderate handling and use wear. There are scratches, gouges, and compression dents throughout. There are no structural cracks. Overall this stock is in Good to Very Good condition for antique.
Type of Finish: Blued, Case Colored.
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. The rifling is sharp. There is no erosion. There is some minor fouling. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains virtually none of its original finish. The metal has worn to brown patina with corrosion staining. There is some scattered pitting. The color case is muted. The screw heads are tooled but serviceable. The markings are faint, some are legible, some are not. Overall this rifle is in Good to Very Good condition for antique.
Mechanics: The action and trigger function correctly. There is light play in the breech block. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: This Sharps New Model 1863 Cavalry Carbine cartridge conversion is a historically desirable antique single-shot arm, originally associated with the Civil War-era Sharps percussion carbine pattern and later converted to .50-70 Government centerfire. The Hartford barrel address, Sharps and Lawrence patent markings, upper tang serial number, 22″ barrel, silver blade front sight, folding ladder rear sight, and lever-operated falling-block action all support its strong martial and collector character. Its carbine configuration, banded forend, straight-grip walnut stock, and steel buttplate give it the classic cavalry profile associated with post-Civil War cartridge conversions.
The bore is the standout feature of this example. It is described as bright with sharp rifling, no erosion, and only minor fouling, rating 9/10 in the writer’s opinion, which is notably strong for an antique Sharps conversion. Mechanically, the action and trigger function correctly, though there is light play in the breech block and the rifle has not been test fired. That breech-block play is an important cautionary note, and the rifle should be inspected and cleaned carefully before any consideration of firing.
Externally, the rifle shows honest antique wear, retaining virtually none of its original blue and case-colored finish. The metal has worn to a brown patina with corrosion staining, scattered pitting, muted case color, tooled but serviceable screw heads, and mixed marking legibility, with some markings faint or no longer fully readable. The walnut stock rates Good to Very Good for an antique, showing moderate handling wear, scratches, gouges, and compression dents, but no structural cracks; however, the buttplate is not original to the stock, which is a collector caveat. Overall, this is a historically appealing Sharps 1863 cartridge-conversion carbine with an excellent bore and functional mechanics, with value moderated by heavy finish loss, faint markings, breech-block play, non-original buttplate, and general antique wear. Please see our photos and good luck on your bids! MF