Sharps Carbine

ctbob · March 15, 2013, 11:08 AM

I inherited this Sharps Rifle recently. I don't have much information on its background. Can anyone give me any idea of the history of this type of rifle? There are several things stamped on the barrel, including patents Sharps (1852), Lawrence (1859), serial number C20800 (I think), and "New Model 803" (I think. it's tough to read). It seems to be in pretty good shape. All of the moving parts operate freely, including hammer, trigger, breech loading mechanism, etc. I don't know how it's condition compares with others of its vintage. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

shouldazagged · March 15, 2013, 01:21 PM

Wow...

Ozzieman · March 15, 2013, 03:16 PM

That’s not a WOW!
That is an OMG!! You lucky dog!
The following web site is what I use for Sharps. Hope it helps.
http://relicman.com/weapons/zArchive...bineSharps.htm

ctbob · March 15, 2013, 03:51 PM

Thank you! I'll try to figure out which one I have.

McShooty · March 15, 2013, 06:15 PM

It is a nice looking Sharps carbine. It would appear to be a model of 1863 and, since it has no patchbox on the right side of the stock, it would be one of the later 1863s, as is shown by the serial number. A "C" in front of the number stands for 100,000, so your serial number is actually 120800. The New Model 803 I suspect is "New Model 1863." The Lawrence patent is for the priming system. It used an automatic pellet primer system which did not work very well. The first 1863 carbines were shipped in late 1863, I think, too late for Gettysburg, but some were used in the last year and a half of the Civil War. Following the war, many Sharps were converted to cartridge arms and used on the western frontier. When found, they generally look quite a bit worse than yours, but generally bring good prices because foks associate them with buffalo hunting and the plains indian wars. Yours is not so converted. These are valuable arms, especially so if you can find some Civil War connection for that serial number.

ctbob · March 16, 2013, 09:18 AM

Thank you very much. Would you have any idea where i could research the civil war history of the rifle?

McShooty · March 16, 2013, 12:48 PM

Amazon sells a book "Civil War Sharps Carbines and Rifles" by Coates and McAuly. It has a lot of information on Sharps arms and the regiments they were issued to, according to serial number. You may or may not find your number in this reference but it is worth a look. Even if your rifle is not listed, this is a good book to have for someone interested in the Sharps, and you have a good start on that. It is an important part of firearms history and American history.

PetahW · March 16, 2013, 02:55 PM

There's no need, to re-invent the wheel.

A Sharps Carbine, with a SN 1,000 below yours, was previously covered (about 8 weeks ago) - with better pics:

http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...sharps+carbine

You would be well advised to inspect your specimen, for various inspection/inspector's & other marks/stampings, and take/post some close/clear/bright pics, as well.

.

ctbob · March 17, 2013, 10:34 AM

Here are a few more photos of the marks/stampings.

ctbob · March 17, 2013, 10:35 AM

And a few more...

ctbob · March 17, 2013, 10:36 AM

and last marking that I could find - the serial number.

Thanks to all for your help with this!

PetahW · March 17, 2013, 12:27 PM

You have a New Model Sharps 1863 Carbine, w/o the iron patchbox on the RH side of the buttstock (they were made both with/without).

The Sharps New Model SN's started around Sharps SN30000 (The first/earlier Sharps started at SN1 in 1849)

There were approx 65,000 made from SN75000 to SN100000 & From C00001 to C140000.

The "J.E.C." stamped into the sling ring base is a Civil War Era inspector's mark for J.E. Cummings, 1862-63 - who was AFAIK a US Gov't inspector for 1862 Colt and Whitney revolvers; Spencer rifles; Sharps & Hankins
carbines; and who knows what else................

.

March 15, 2013, 01:21 PM	#2
shouldazagged Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2013 Location: Louisville, KY, USA Posts: 273	Wow... __________________ "Don't let macho be your epitaph." ---Ed Lovette

March 15, 2013, 03:16 PM	#3
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 6,117	That’s not a WOW! That is an OMG!! You lucky dog! The following web site is what I use for Sharps. Hope it helps. http://relicman.com/weapons/zArchive...bineSharps.htm __________________ It was a sad day when I discovered my universal remote control did not in fact control the universe. Did you hear about the latest study.....5 out of 6 liberals say that Russian Roulette is safe.

March 16, 2013, 12:48 PM	#7
McShooty Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2012 Location: Northern Missouri Posts: 480	Amazon sells a book "Civil War Sharps Carbines and Rifles" by Coates and McAuly. It has a lot of information on Sharps arms and the regiments they were issued to, according to serial number. You may or may not find your number in this reference but it is worth a look. Even if your rifle is not listed, this is a good book to have for someone interested in the Sharps, and you have a good start on that. It is an important part of firearms history and American history. Last edited by McShooty; March 16, 2013 at 12:54 PM.

March 17, 2013, 12:27 PM	#12
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	You have a New Model Sharps 1863 Carbine, w/o the iron patchbox on the RH side of the buttstock (they were made both with/without). The Sharps New Model SN's started around Sharps SN30000 (The first/earlier Sharps started at SN1 in 1849) There were approx 65,000 made from SN75000 to SN100000 & From C00001 to C140000. The "J.E.C." stamped into the sling ring base is a Civil War Era inspector's mark for J.E. Cummings, 1862-63 - who was AFAIK a US Gov't inspector for 1862 Colt and Whitney revolvers; Spencer rifles; Sharps & Hankins carbines; and who knows what else................ . Last edited by PetahW; March 17, 2013 at 12:32 PM.

March 15, 2013, 03:51 PM	#4
ctbob Junior Member Join Date: March 15, 2013 Posts: 6	Thank you! I'll try to figure out which one I have.

March 15, 2013, 06:15 PM	#5
McShooty Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2012 Location: Northern Missouri Posts: 480	It is a nice looking Sharps carbine. It would appear to be a model of 1863 and, since it has no patchbox on the right side of the stock, it would be one of the later 1863s, as is shown by the serial number. A "C" in front of the number stands for 100,000, so your serial number is actually 120800. The New Model 803 I suspect is "New Model 1863." The Lawrence patent is for the priming system. It used an automatic pellet primer system which did not work very well. The first 1863 carbines were shipped in late 1863, I think, too late for Gettysburg, but some were used in the last year and a half of the Civil War. Following the war, many Sharps were converted to cartridge arms and used on the western frontier. When found, they generally look quite a bit worse than yours, but generally bring good prices because foks associate them with buffalo hunting and the plains indian wars. Yours is not so converted. These are valuable arms, especially so if you can find some Civil War connection for that serial number.

March 16, 2013, 09:18 AM	#6
ctbob Junior Member Join Date: March 15, 2013 Posts: 6	Thank you very much. Would you have any idea where i could research the civil war history of the rifle?

March 16, 2013, 02:55 PM	#8
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	There's no need, to re-invent the wheel. A Sharps Carbine, with a SN 1,000 below yours, was previously covered (about 8 weeks ago) - with better pics: http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...sharps+carbine You would be well advised to inspect your specimen, for various inspection/inspector's & other marks/stampings, and take/post some close/clear/bright pics, as well. .