what do I have here? pictures posted!

deerodgers

I was just handed an old gun that I would like some clarification on please! On the right side of the lockplate it says C. SHARPS PAT OCT 5th 1852 and right above the lock on the same side it has H.S. LAWRENCE PAT APRIL 12TH 1859. Stamped on the top of the receiver tang is number 65715. It has a slide loop with a ring on the stock on one side that I assume was a sling mount or a saddle ring. Any ideas of a value or history of this gun? the barrel has some pitting, nothing deep. There is a metal piece on the end of the butt that is missing. Other than that the sights are in place, mechanism appears to work well

rufe-snow

Sharp's Civil War carbine. Need quality photos for precise identification and valuation purposes.

EDIT #1,

Instructions for posting photos, at this link.

http://forums.GunBroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=259294

Photos of Sharp's Civil War Carbine, off the net.

deerodgers

working on it. Haven't done this in a while so I am a bit rusty at inserting photos!

Hawk Carse

The serial number is in the range for an 1859 Sharps which should look just like the one rufe shows in the same range, if a carbine. But it might be a rifle with 30" barrel. Show pictures.

Many were converted from paper cartridge percussion breechloaders (I like the British term, "capping breechloader.") to cartridge. Mostly .50-70 centerfire, a few to .52 rimfire.

Almost surely used to shoot at us Fine Southern Gentlemen. Unless one of the few sold to the Fine State of Georgia.
Or maybe at Indians. A friend has a .50-70 conversion that is about MOA accurate; Minute of Apache.

deerodgers

deerodgers

Hawk Carse

Yup, that's what you have, a Civil War era Sharps carbine.
The serial number is in the 1859 range but it lacks the patch box as shown on rufe's.
I cannot see the hammer and breechblock area well enough to tell if it is still percussion or a cartridge conversion. But replacement buttstocks without patchboxes were used if one was needed at the time of conversion. Or probably for repairs during the War.

Thanks. Sure looks like the hammer is hitting a firing pin, making this one of the many Sharps conversions to conventional brass cased cartridges after the War. The plain stock likely installed at the time.
I know of no way to track individual issue of smallarms, but it has been done although rarely.

deerodgers

deerodgers

posted a couple of more, if they don't show you what you need just let me know what to take a picture of for you. Is there anyway to find out who it was issued to?

deerodgers

Thanks! I looked closer at the action and found the firing pin! Would have never noticed it, such a close fit you cannot see it right away. I appreciate all your information, just one more question, any clue as to the value of it?