1863 Sharps Cavalry Carbine 52-70 Centerfire Single Shot Rifle Antique
SOLD FOR: $2,501.00
LSB#: LSB260502AH022
Make: Sharps Rifle Co, Hartford, Conn
Model: 1863 Sharps Cavalry Carbine Cartridge Conversion
Serial Number: 80470
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1863-1865
Caliber: .52-70 Sharps
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, TWR”. 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 LOP is 14″ from trigger to buttplate. The buttstock appears to have had finish added. 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 semi bright. The rifling is well defined. There is some erosion and pitting throughout. There is some fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates 7/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 25% of its original finish. The barrel is partially worn to a brown patina with light corrosion staining. The color case is mostly muted but there is some color still showing, mostly in protected areas. There are scratches and tool marks scattered throughout. The screw heads are tooled but serviceable. The markings are faint but mostly legible. Overall this rifle is in Good to Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action and trigger function correctly. 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 appealing antique single-shot rifle, originally associated with the Civil War-era Sharps percussion carbine pattern and later converted to .52-70 Sharps centerfire. The Hartford barrel marking, Sharps patent markings, upper tang serial number, and TWR-related barrel markings all contribute to its period military character. Its 22″ barrel, lever-operated falling-block action, silver blade front sight, folding ladder rear sight, banded forend, and straight-grip walnut stock give it the classic cavalry carbine profile.
Condition is solid for an antique martial arm, with the rifle retaining approximately 25% of its original blue and case-colored finish. The barrel has partially worn to a brown patina with light corrosion staining, while the case colors are mostly muted but still visible in protected areas. There are scattered scratches, tool marks, and serviceable but tooled screw heads, and the markings are faint but mostly legible. The bore is semi-bright with well-defined rifling, though erosion, pitting, and some fouling are present, rating 7/10 in the writer’s opinion.
The walnut stock set is in Good to Very Good condition for an antique, showing moderate handling and use wear, scattered scratches, gouges, and compression dents, but no structural cracks. The buttstock appears to have had finish added, which is a collector caveat, though it remains visually presentable. Mechanically, the action and trigger function correctly, though the rifle has not been test fired and should be carefully inspected and cleaned before any consideration of use. Overall, this is a desirable Sharps cartridge-conversion carbine with strong historical appeal, functional mechanics, recognizable markings, and a respectable bore, with value moderated by finish loss, faint markings, added stock finish, and general antique wear. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid! MF