sharps new model 1863

brute

August 25, 2011 12:59

I am trying to identify this rifle. It is marked new model 1863 on top of the barrel, has several sharps and rs lawrence patent stampings, also has a saddle ring and ladder rear sight. Please respond with any info or any questions. Thanks Joe

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  rufe-snow

  August 25, 2011 13:27

  Need quality photos for accurate identification and assessment of value.
  
  This link give instructions for posting photos to the forum. As the owners of this forum won't permit photos from a PC's hard drive to be posted directly. A net based photo hosting service has to be used.
  
  http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=259294

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  Spider7115

  August 25, 2011 13:28

  Hi, Joe - Your Sharps was a very popular carbine used in the Civil War. Is it a percussion or cartridge model? Although yours began life as a percussion model with a Maynard tape primer system, many of them were converted to .50-70cf and .52-70rf cartridge use in 1867.
  
  We really need clear pictures, including all markings, to give you an evaluation. This thread shows you how to post them in the forum:
  
  http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=259294

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  v35

  August 25, 2011 13:29

  It's an 1863 Sharps Cavalry carbine having the Sharps Prime feature.
  The Sharps Prime device launches a fulminate disk, from its' magazine in the lockplate, between hammer and nipple for rapid fire. A sliding cover over the magazine activates or shuts off the feature.
  In the front of the breechblock is a plate that moves forward under fire to seal the joint from flash. Its' top is a cigar cutter
  that cuts off the rear of paper cartridges, exposing its'powder to flame from a Sharps' Primer or a musket cap.
  The saddle ring clips to a roller snap clasp attached to a broad leather belt slung over the cavalryman's shoulder so he can't lose the carbine.
  A leather lined ring on the saddle acted as a scabbard.
  These carbines can be very accurate.

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