Sharps Model 1868 Cartridge Conversion Carbine 50-70 22″ Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,700.00
LSB#: LSB260602CL024
Make: Sharps
Model: 1868 Cartridge Conversion
Serial Number: 38470
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1863, converted on the 1868 Contract
Caliber: 50-70 Sharps
Action Type: Single shot, falling block, cartridge conversion, rifle.
Barrel Length: 22″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass blade pinned to a base that is fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a folding ladder style V notch dovetailed to the barrel. The slider is missing on the rear sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a two piece smooth walnut, banded forend, straight grip, straight comb, and semi crescent metal buttplate. The LOP is 14″ from trigger to buttplate. The stock appears to be a replacement set of wood. There is gapping around the inletting throughout. There are light scratches and compression dents throughout. There are no chips or cracks. Overall this stock is in Good to Very Good condition as a replacement.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. The rifling is sharp. There is very minor erosion and pitting. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates 8/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 40% of its current blue finish. There are scratches and worn bluing spots throughout. The sling bar is broken. There are missing screws in the lower tang. The screw heads are tooled but serviceable. The markings range from faint to strong with most being legible. Overall this rifle is in Good condition as antique.
Mechanics: This rifle appears functional though we cannot guarantee function due to missing parts. 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: The Sharps Model 1868 Cartridge Conversion Carbine is a historically significant transitional arm that reflects the shift from percussion ignition to self-contained metallic cartridges after the Civil War. This example began as an earlier Sharps carbine and was converted under the 1868 contract to fire the .50-70 cartridge. It features a 22″ barrel, falling-block action, folding ladder rear sight, and replacement walnut furniture. Although refinished and altered, it retains the essential form and operating system of the postwar Sharps conversion carbines.
Following the Civil War, large numbers of percussion Sharps carbines remained in government inventory and were converted to metallic cartridge use rather than discarded. The 1868 conversions adapted the strong Sharps falling-block action to the .50-70 Government-era cartridge, extending the service life of these proven carbines during the western expansion period. These rifles occupy an important place in American firearms history as practical bridge arms between the percussion and metallic-cartridge eras.
This rifle retains about 40% of its current refinished blue finish, with scattered scratches, worn areas, tooled screws, and markings that range from faint to strong. The replacement walnut stock remains in Good to Very Good condition despite visible inletting gaps, while the bright bore has sharp rifling with only very minor erosion and pitting and rates 8/10. The rear sight slider is missing, the sling bar is broken, and screws are missing from the lower tang. The rifle appears functional, though proper function cannot be guaranteed due to the missing parts. Overall, this is a Good-condition antique Sharps conversion carbine with a strong bore and solid historical appeal. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! MF