
Shiloh Sharps Farmingdale Model 1863 J.P. Gemmer .54 Cal Percussion Rifle
SOLD FOR: $5025
LSB#: 230608JW017
Make: Shiloh Products Inc. (Farmingdale, New York)
Model: New Model 1863 / J.P. Gemmer
Serial Number: 4199
Year of Manufacture: 1980 – 1984, ATF Antique
Caliber: .54 Caliber Paper or Linen Cartridges
Action Type: Single Shot, Double Set Trigger w/ Lever Operated Falling Block Percussion Rifle
Barrel Length: 34” Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a silver colored dovetailed blade with orange paint on the rear for eye visibility. The rear sight is a large Buckhorn design with fine adjustments.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two piece hardwood with a channel for the included cleaning rod, three ramrod pipes, a nose cap, two barrel wedge keys, straight grip straight comb, cheek rest and metal crescent butt plate. The wood shows light handling and storage marks. There are no cracks or chips. The LOP measures 14.25” and 13.5” from the faces of the triggers to the back of the butt plate. The stocks rate in about Fine Plus overall condition.
Type of Finish: Browned, Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is a small amount of erosion in the grooves at the muzzle with some discoloration. The breech area to the middle of the bore shows light surface oxidation. In this writer’s opinion and for the age, this bore rates a 7.5 out of 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: This rifle retains about 96% of its metal finish. The metal shows light scratched on the lock plate with some receding case color on the leading edges. The action shows minimal wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus – Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The rifle features a half-cock safety. A lever safety block is present that when pushed forward, blocks the lever from being manipulated. We did not fire this firearm. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with eighty (80) .54 caliber Sharps minie balls, a number of stiff paper tubes and tissue paper for paper cartridges.
Our Assessment: The Model 1863 Sharps is a breech loading rifle that was widely used during the American Civil War. It was manufactured by the Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company and was known for its accuracy and reliability. The carbine used paper or linen cartridges that contained a bullet and powder charge, and the breech mechanism was operated by a lever which allowed the breech to open and another cartridge to be loaded. The Sharps line of rifles were also used by buffalo hunters and other frontiersmen after the Civil War.
This example is a modern Shiloh Sharps “New Model” 1863 chambered for .54 caliber with a “Old Reliable” marking on the 34” octagonal barrel. The rifle was make in Farmingdale, New York before the Shiloh company moved to Montana. This Sharps is somewhat of a rare bird being that is a modern reproduction of a J.P. Gemmer rifle. J.P. Gemmer had bought out the Hawken Bros. shop in St. Louis, MO. in the mid 1860’s and took Sharps and Spencer actions and saddled them up with Hawken style furniture and octagonal heavy barrels. Overall, this is a very impressive looking rifle and a rare one at that. Being that Shiloh Sharps are very collectible and with a long waiting line and the very low production numbers of Gemmer reproductions, you bet even I will be bidding on this one. Place your bid today on this gem of the Frontier and good luck!
-Luke
