Sharps 1859 Conversion Rifle
Back again with more info. s/n 666XX. 32" barrel w/1" octagon turned down near end of forearm to .980" tapering to .930" at muzzle. 6-groove rifling, 44-90 straight case chambering. Talked to fellow that owned it many years ago, he told me it is a "Hartford" conmversion, and something about a Hartford ring. Exactly what is the Hartford ring? It appears to have the original wood with blued steel patchbox. The butt and forearm could have come from the same board, the grain and color are identical. It is in extremely good condition, with nice light brown patina on barrel. The rear sight dovetail on the barrel was filled long ago with steel slug. The frame's color case is gone Front sight is ball on pin with open top shroud. Double set trigger with number on base plate that matches the s/n. The trigger base color case is 95%, tang sight(not original, but looks old). I traced year of manufacture to 1862 from the inspector's cartouches. There is a brass inlay in place of the rear sling loop. I have Flayderman's book but I cannot determine is this rifle was originally built as a sporting rifle or converted from another model. I can just barely slide a .004" feeler between the block and end of breech. Lock plate marked C. Sharps, Pat 5th Oct 1852. LH frame marked 1848 with whatever date before that worn off. What do I have here? Thanks, Mike
Mike in Michigan
Mike in Michigan
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Sir, you can post as many times as you want to about your rifle but the facts are never going to change.
Your rifle was originally made during the Civil War as either a "PERCUSSION" Rifle or Carbine.
At some time after the war was over, probably during the 1870's it was sporterized/converted to a metallic cartridge hunting/sporting rifle.
By persons unknown. Unless you can substantiate that it was done by Sharps or some other known/famous gunsmith of the period it's just another converted percussion Sharps. It's value would depend on it's cosmetic condition and the condition of the bore.
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Mike, enter your full serial # here, this will give you some info on where it came from. If the factory records still exist, a retired doctor in Mississippi has them, and will mail you a copy for a fee.
http://armscollectors.com/srs/lookup_sharps.php
"Aim small, Miss small"0 -
Thanks, fellas.
Still like to know what the "Hartford Ring" is.
Mike in Michigan0 -
I've seen reference to a Hartford Collar but am unsure what it means.
The rifle was made to accept a linen cartidge, the back of which was sheared off to enable detonation from a cap and nipple. Some had an automatic capping method which may or may not have been left on the rifle after the conversion. It may refer to this.
Posted to this forum http://groups.yahoo.com/group/blackpowdercartridge/ to ask. Will let you know, lot of knowledgeable people there."No taxation without representation"0 -
Does it look like this?
It is the collar covering the barrel at the receiver, just window dressing."No taxation without representation"0 -
There were 2 saddle ring models made, one was on the left side of the action block, and the other more rare model had it on the lower tang. Look at that part of the tang for a loop, the ring was most likely removed for the conversion. I don't know if thats the "Hartford ring", I've heard the silver forend cap refered to as part of the Hartford conversion. The brass inlay is most likely a patch box. Did you search the serial #'s on that link? Did it show where,when, and who it was issued to? Are we going to see a pic of this gun?
"Aim small, Miss small"0 -
Mike, this is the guy to contac for Sharps records.
Dr. Richard Labowskie
4613 Osage Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19143
213-748-1376
"Aim small, Miss small"0
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