Help with a relic condition Sharps Carbine

[teufelhawk]

I have a relic condition 1850’s(I believe) percussion sharps carbine. The only writing I can make out is on the tang, “sharps patent 1848” with what appears to be a 4-6 digit serial number. The previous owner looks to have acid dipped it to remove the rust. It appears that the barrel might have been lined as there is dissimilar rust happening in the bore, this is best seen at the breech end. Bore at muzzle is .5”, barrel is 21 5/8”
Looking for guidance on this one, I’ve taken a bunch of pictures.

 

[mooncoon]

I will have to admit that I would be very hesitant to rebuild it. It looks like the breach block is missing and that would be a challenge to make. More importantly I think it would take too much filing and grinding to reduce the pitting by 50 % or so.

cheers mooncoon

 

[teufelhawk]

Hi mooncoon
The breech block is MIA, and given how pitted the rifle is I’m really unsure of the steels integrity. Not looking to rebuild it, more just identifying the model, maybe some of its history given the parts and such that remain. Not just it’s a carbine sharps. There are what, 5 different middles that fall into that broad category?
There doesn’t seem to be a decent internet database on these rifles which list model variations, or at least I wasn’t able to find anything after a few days of searching. Which I find really odd given the USA love for them.

 

[WR1894]

it is a early Sharps as it looks like a slant breech model, i will have find my book on Sharps rifles and see what i can find

 

[ArtyMan]

It looks to me like an 1852 “slant breech” Sharps carbine but I’m no expert. Definitely a neat find!

 

[powderman]

teufelhawk.

You have a Sharps Model 1853 carbine. Similar to the Model 1852. The give-away is the stud in the frame to retain the lever hinge pin. The Model 1852 had a spring mounted in the forend to retain the lever pin.

Regards,
Powderman

 

[teufelhawk]

Hi
Okay, I can’t argue about the stud. A further question for clarification: the remains of the stud for the Saddle ring bar assembly seems to be on the wrong side of the bolt holding the lock in place.

Vs

 

[powderman]

Hi
Okay, I can’t argue about the stud. A further question for clarification: the remains of the stud for the Saddle ring bar assembly seems to be on the wrong side of the bolt holding the lock in place.
View attachment 389911


The photo of the Model 1853 you posted shows the early method of attaching the sling ring. Later Model 1853 carbines used this method to attach the sling ring, which is what was used on your carbine. Hope this helps.



Regards,
Powderman

 

[teufelhawk]

Hi Powderman,
Thanks, that answered that.
Is there a online source for this info that I missed when I was trying out my google-fu?

Hi
Okay, I can’t argue about the stud. A further question for clarification: the remains of the stud for the Saddle ring bar assembly seems to be on the wrong side of the bolt holding the lock in place.
View attachment 389911


The photo of the Model 1853 you posted shows the early method of attaching the sling ring. Later Model 1853 carbines used this method to attach the sling ring, which is what was used on your carbine. Hope this helps.

View attachment 390187

Regards,
Powderman

 

[powderman]

teufelhawk,

I found the pic online. Fed "Sharps Model 1853 photo" into Google. Most 1853s are set up like the pic you posted. There are a couple more sling ring attachments on 1853s.

Regards,
Powderman

 

[powderman]

teufelhawk,

The type of sling ring attachment shown in the Morphy Auction image you posted, was the standard mounting on muzzle loading carbines of the day and allowed the carbine to hang properly for reloading. That type of attachment proved unsuitable for the innovative breech loading Sharps carbine and the sling ring mounting on your carbine, and in the photo I posted, allowed the carbine to hang properly for loading from the breech. The automatic priming system on the Sharps was another innovation.

Regards,
Powderman

 

[teufelhawk]

Okay, so it’s a late modification to the design to allow for ease of loading. Too bad the rifle wasn’t is better shape... oh well it’s been good to start a near conversation and I learned some helpful information.
Many thanks!