Sharps Rifle Pedigree??

m.j.ryan

March 17, 2005 06:56

I have a long barreled Sharps rifle in 40-90. I am confused by the different dates on each side of the frame.
The left side is dated 1848, the month and day are not legible. The right side has C.Sharps' Pat with Oct 5th 1852 under that. The current owner claims it was converted just after the civil war to its present configuration. It has double set trigger, avery old shrouded front sight and a later ladder-type rear sight. Any help identifying this will be greatly appreciated. Mike

Mike in Michigan

0

• 

  rufe-snow

  March 17, 2005 07:34

  It seems? from your description of the markings and their location, your rifle was originally manufactured during the Civil War era as either a "New Model" percussion rifle, or carbine.
  
  Obviously it was converted to it's present configuration after that war. Problem is that their are (2) different Sharps 40-90 cartridges.
  
  The 40-90 bottle neck from 1873 and the 40-90 straight circa 1885. If you don't have any of the original ammo, you'll probably have to have a chamber cast done.
  
  It wasn't uncommon to have these percussion rifles and carbines converted to cartridge sporting rifle configuration. With out any maker markings, proof marks etc. It will be difficult to identify. Post some QUALITY pictures, you might luck out and find somebody who can identify it and provide some history?
  
  

  0
• 

  TRAP55

  March 17, 2005 12:54

  Mike, If you can't post a pic, e-mail me and I'll post it for you. Take pics of both sides of the action and the top. I'll see if i can find the addy of the Doc in Miss. that has all the old Sharps records. He'll mail you a copy if he has one for your Serial #, for a fee.
  
  
  "Aim small, Miss small"

  0

Please sign in to leave a comment.