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Civil War Sharps New Model 1863 Rifle with Socket Bayonet

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,400.00 USD Estimated At:3,500.00 - 4,750.00 USD
Civil War Sharps New Model 1863 Rifle with Socket Bayonet
Sharps, three-band, New Model of 1863 Breech-Loading Rifle manufactured in 1864-1865. The rifle has a blue barrel with casehardened, barrel bands, receiver, lever, patch box and buttplate. The stock and forearm are oil-finished black walnut. The rifle retains the original Lawrence pellet primer. The rifle front sight serves as a lug for the socket bayonet. The folding leaf rear sight has an 800 yard center notch and the base has R.S. Lawrence patent markings. The rifle barrel is roll-stamped: "SHARPS RIFLE / MANUFG. CO. / HARTFORD CONN." between the rear sight and lower barrel band. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "NEW MODEL 1863" between the rear sight and the receiver and the left side is stamped with the Ordnance Sub-Inspector's "M.N.M." initials. Two script, rectangular, Ordnance inspection marks are stamped on the left stock wrist. Ordnance sub-inspection marks are visible on the bottom of the forearm and the top of the stock comb. The left side of the receiver is roll-stamped: "C.S. SHARPS' PAT./ SEPT. 12th 1848" in two lines. R.S. Lawrence 1859 patent markings are stamped on the upper right side of the receiver behind the pellet primer. Sharps 1859 patent markings are stamped on the lower lock plate behind the hammer. The serial number, "C34848" is stamped on the upper receiver tang. The angular bayonet is stamped: "&Co" on the left side of the socket. Sharps manufactured 6,150 New Model 1863 Rifles under government contract during the Civil War. Most of these rifles were purchased to arm the four U.S. Veteran Volunteer Infantry regiments raised in 1865. These regiments were issued Sharps, Spencer and Henry rifles and the members of the regiments were authorized to retain their rifles on discharge as an encouragement for enlistment. The war ended before the U.S. Veteran Volunteer Regiments saw action.
BBL: 30 In
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 52 percussion
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: C34848
Condition: Very fine as arsenal refurbished. The rifle has an attractive plum-brown patina on the barrel, bands, patchbox and buttplate. The armory blued receiver and loading lever retain traces of the original casehardened finish showing through the finish. All of the markings on the barrel and receiver are sharp. The Ordnance inspection marks on the left wrist remain legible. The bore is bright with sharp rifling. The stock and forearm are in fine condition with scattered light handling and storage marks. The scarce Sharps socket bayonet has a brown patina with scattered light pitting. This is a very good example of a very desirable, Civil War, Ordnance inspected Sharps New Model of 1863 Rifle with and original bayonet.