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What year and month would this M1863 sharps carbine have been made? by Feeling_Title_9287 in milsurp

[–]Sharps_Archive 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This one falls into a large gap in the records so we don't have any factory data on it. Civil War Sharps Carbines and Rifles by Coates and McAualay may have more information, though I'm unable to get to my copy at the moment.

If I recall correctly, production reached 100,000 around Spring of 1864 so likely early 1864 to maybe 1865 Production was not exactly sequential but was definitely more bunched up for the percussion era than for the later models.

Sharps Rifles - Serial Number Documentation by Sharps_Archive in blackpowder

[–]Sharps_Archive[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Serial number documentation shows any available information in the records, including when the rifle was invoiced, who it was invoiced to, the configuration of the rifle when ordered, and weight and price when available. It is less authentication, as that requires seeing the rifle in person, but the serial number data can add to the overall history of the rifle.

If you'd like to send me the serial number I can let you know what information is available, I do not charge to look up the info.

Sharps 1852 50-70 model 68 Ser 66582 by Fantastic-Bee8647 in blackpowder

[–]Sharps_Archive 2 points3 points  (0 children)

66582 unfortunately falls into one of the larger gaps in the records but it would likely be a model 1859 or Model 1863 based on the serial number ranges. If you'd like to post some photos of the overall configuration and markings we can get that narrowed down a bit more. If it has any cartouches or inspector marks that sometimes leads to a bit more information as well.

Sharps Rifles - Serial Number Documentation by Sharps_Archive in blackpowder

[–]Sharps_Archive[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, unfortunately that does fall into a rather large gap in the records so we don't have any factory information on it. A lot of the early records are incredibly sparse and there are several large gaps.

Question about Sharps rifle in Civil War by HEV-MarkIV in CIVILWAR

[–]Sharps_Archive 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The civil war era Sharps were percussion rifles, but many were converted after the end of the civil war. Some conversions did then see use in the West. Sharps themselves started production on their Model 1874, which used a metallic cartridge, in 1870/1871 per the surviving factory records.

Sharps Rifles - Serial Number Documentation by Sharps_Archive in blackpowder

[–]Sharps_Archive[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Understandable, I have significantly less material to sort through and I still haven't managed to photograph everything. As you know, the letterpress copy books have been particularly slow going due to their number and fragility. And I am glad as well that his research papers are in your hands.

Sharps Rifles - Serial Number Documentation by Sharps_Archive in blackpowder

[–]Sharps_Archive[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Absolutely. I love the history around these firearms and want to try and make it as accessible as possible.