129

Sharps Cartridge Conversion Saddle Ring Carbine

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:425.00 USD Estimated At:1,100.00 - 1,600.00 USD
Sharps Cartridge Conversion Saddle Ring Carbine
This is an example of one of the 4,200 percussion Civil War carbines converted during the Indian Wars, however not relined to 50 caliber. This carbine has the three groove barrel. These carbines were refurbished by Sharps during the conversion process and if needed the stocks were replaced with ones not having a patch box, which is not the case with this example. The barrels were blued with casehardened barrel band, receiver, lever, hammer, and buttplate. The sling bar and ring were finished bright. The carbine has a brass front sight blade and folding, adjustable leaf rear sight with the Lawrence patent marked base and graduated to 800 yards, and the percussion Lawrence pellet priming system. The barrel is absent of any markings, the left side receiver marking is faint and the has the two line Sharps and Lawrence markings. There is the letter "F" on the left rear barrel flat and top of the breechblock and "E.A.W." on the saddle ring base. Mounted with a smooth oil finished black walnut forearm and straight grip stock with "D.F.C." in a ribbon cartouche on the left side of the buttstock. The Sharps metallic conversion carbines were widely issued to the U.S. Cavalry, including the 10th and 7th Cavalry regiments, on the frontier after the Civil War and remained in service until they were replaced by the .45-70 Springfield Carbine. The carbine is accompanied by a copy of a response to a Mr. Rauch from Frank Sellers in the Arms Gazette, July, 1974 explaining that his carbine was 1 of the 4,200 not relined to 50 caliber, rather relining only those barrels measuring over .5225 bore diameter. The serial number of this carbine is handwritten at the bottom.
BBL: 22 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 52
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: C7170
Condition: Refurbished with 95% arsenal style blue finish remaining on the barrel. The lock and receiver retain most of the case colors, bright above the hammer and on the buttplate and fading overall on the balance with areas of smooth gray. There is a small area of minor pitting on the right side of the frame. The wood has been lightly sanded and revarnished with a minor crack extending forward from the patch box 2", and overall a few minor dings and handling marks. The patch box shows bright case colors. The action is excellent.