In 1874, the firm was reorganized as the Sharps Rifle Co., with, operations remaining in Hartford. 1875, in our Appraisals Archive. Altogether, the company offers more than a dozen different models or variations, ranging from a percussion New Model 1859 Rifle and Carbine to an elaborately engraved deluxe copy of a Model 1874 Hartford-built Sporting Rifle. JavaScript is disabled. In late summer 1974, Mule and his partner, Wolfgang Droege, visited Dixie Gun Works, in Union City, Tennessee. And when these two entrepreneurs showed up at the National Sporting Goods Association Show (predecessor to the SHOT Show) in January 1975, they displayed for the very first time a pair of newly assembled percussion ignition Sharps breechloaders a New Model 1863 Rifle and a New Model 1863 Carbine. In that short period of time, this pair had worked with Pinetree Casting (a division of Ruger) to develop the tooling needed to turn out completely modern manufactured duplicates of the original percussion Sharps breechloaders. . Army inspector's location at the breech. Tom Selleck as Matthew Quigley holding his Sharps rifle. Lighter than the Model 1874, which was still in production, the Borchardt model was most commonly chambered for the easily available 45-70 Government cartridge, as well as other smaller calibers like the 40-50 Sharps. 158256; 40 Caliber; 30" Octagon Barrel; Double Set Triggers; . . The top of barrel says Old Reliable Shiloh rifle Mfg. This book traces the history and development of Sharps rifles and carbines and contains short histories of a number of regiments that carried them. The fit and finish of the Model 1863 percussion rifle and carbine, along with the many versions of the Model 1874 metallic cartridge rifles produced by this maker, is superb and in no way second to the quality of any other maker. This Sharps rifle bears serial number C35210 which, according to records published in CIVIL WAR SHARPS CARBINES & RIFLES by Earl J. Coates and John D. McAulay, was issued to Private William H. Bennett formerly of the 11th Ohio Infantry and who, at the time of the issue of this weapon, was with the 4th Regiment US Veteran Volunteers. 1875, Physical Evidence and the Battle of the Little Bighorn. It may or may not be entirely correct to claim that more rifles of Sharps design have been built in the past 32 years than during the entire 32-year run of original Sharps rifle production but the modern total wouldnt miss it by much! In the case of C. Sharps Arms Co. Inc. we have the overarching goal to provide the finest firearms to our customers. The Sharps rifle, patented by Christian Sharps in 1848, is a large-bore single-shot rifle renowned for long-range accuracy. They were renowned for long-range accuracy. The metal parts of the rifle, which are the buttplate, sling swivels, This Sharps features a 30' Round Blued Barrel attached to a one-piece American Walnut Hand Oil Finished stock with 3-Metal Bands. This article is an excerpt from the Gun Digest 2009 annual book. special order Berdan Sharps rifles between April 10th and May 24th 1862. From 1869 to 1871, the Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company produced their first entirely new made cartridge model the Sharps New Model 1869. Sharps Model 1874 Sporting Rifle; Serial No. One was a relatively new U.S. firm known as Shiloh Products, Inc., the other a well-established Italian manufacturer of high quality double shotguns known as IAB Arms. According to Prince, the only Colt single-action Army revolver yet to be forensically identified and proved to have been on the battlefield that day at Little Bighorn sold at auction in spring 2017 for $460,000. A weekly collection of previews, videos, articles, interviews, and more! It, is one of 75 whose serial numbers are listed in the CONGRESSIONAL. 60 calibers, were the. At some point, long ago, the butt stock was 'detailed' with gold paint. The rifle is serial number 56,694 and this number appears on both the receiver tang and on the barrel, underneath the forend. They are used in Civil War re-enacting, hunting and target shooting. A quick look at the numbers shows why: There were a total of some 600 men from the 7th U.S. Cavalry regiment engaged on the day of the battle, but there are somewhere around 57,000 firearms in the Custer range. The published book by Coates and McAulay mentioned above comes with the rifle. 1885 Lowwall. then with the right hand thrust the tack nail through the slots in the tube and Before those two rifles could be delivered to IAB Arms, custom officials had cut the barrels right through the chambers! These features are still with us today, and have, seen use in both rifle and artillery breech mechanisms. 2) serial range 39573 - 40872: This is a second range which is believed to have Cal. When you purchase your rifle from C. Sharps Arms you can rest assured that you are truly making an investment in a firearm that is made of the finest quality materials by artisans focused on our goal of providing a product built to be passed down for generations to come. The straight breech block design that first appeared on the New Model 1859 did help alleviate some of the gas leakage. Barrel: 30" Octagon - blade front sight. Antique Sharps Rifle Collectors Sharps Longarms Reference Site Scarce U.S. Springfield Second Type Sharps Model 1870 Breechloading Rifle Serial Number 78. What interests me with this gun as opposed to other similar Sharps out there is that this does not have a metal side storage plate on the buttstock. While Hall later developed a percussion version, Sharps had conceived a still better drop block design and received his first patent in September of 1848. In all, the Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company converted 31,098 carbines and 1,086 rifles to accept one or the other of the experimental 52-70 rimfire, 52-70 centerfire or 50-70 centerfire cartridges. 50-70, and. Registered users have access to the entire board once they LOGIN. By Sniper801 in forum Wanted/For Sale Items, By Kenneth L. Walters in forum Small Arms, For Sale - Shiloh 1863 Sharps low serial number Farmingdale, Looking for a Starr Carbine Serial Number search, Researching Serial Number - Burnside Carbine. In 1867 approximately 32,000 Model 1859, 1863 and 1865 Sharps carbines were sent back to the factory to be converted to fire metallic cartridges in .40-70, .45-70 or .50-70 . The Sharps New Model 1859, introduced in that year, was available, as a carbine, and in round-barrel military rifle or, octagonal-barrel sporting rifle versions. We continually search for and procure the finest American grown walnut for our stocks. In Northern California, side grafting wasnt very successful either. Nelson's request for 300 Sharps carbines was sent by the Ordnance Department to the Sharps Rifle Mfg. with exposed S shaped hammer and pellet primer system, a thirty inch round barrel, marked Only 100 of these were produced, and they are as, sought-after today by collectors as they were by competitors at the, The last rifle to be produced by the Sharps Rifle Company was the, Model 1878 Sharps-Borchardt Rifle. Christian Sharps left the company in 1855 to form his own manufacturing company called 'C. Oddly enough, the man whose name became known around the world, thanks to the quality and accuracy associated with Sharps rifles, had very little to do with the company during this period. "Physical Evidence and the Battle of the Little Bighorn," Albert Winkler, Brigham Young University, 2017. I would insure it for 2500.00 to be safe. forestock in place. C. Sharps Arms Rifles. and spring hinged patchbox are made of iron. At this time, the Sharps factory was in the process of finishing the Navy's "Mitchell order" for 1,500 Sharps New Model Military Rifles. The Model 1874 markings were not used on the rifle until after several years production. $3,801.00. "I know there's a lot of envious people hearing that story" In 2012, Navy Arms now operated by Val Forgett III, temporarily suspended the importation side of the business. No documented rifles exist and is estimated that less than 25 rifles in this After the American Civil War, converted Army surplus rifles were made into custom firearms, and the Sharps factory produced Models 1869 and 1874 in large numbers for commercial buffalo hunters and frontiersmen. NEW! Rifle has a 29' long round barrel and a 'straight-breech' type lockplate fitted to its walnut shoulder and fore stock. TCI: the business of entertainment technology & design, Volume 29(1995). Action works properly and the original nipple is present. Robert L. Wilson, in his excellent Ruger book, details that the 3A Viper Simulator serial number was 132-39000 to -57000, which the company puts in the 1984-86 time frame. Army Inspector's marks: John Taylor, assisted by four or five civilian sub-inspectors Among the Sharps 1874 models you can find the Sporting model with octagonal blued barrel, adjustable front sight and double set trigger. Working in collaboration with Navy Arms, in 1970 the firm of Davide Pedersoli & Co., also of Brescia, Italy, began producing most of a modern Remington Rolling Block copy. And it was the outstanding reliability of Sharps-built rifles or carbines during this period that earned them their well-deserved Old Reliable reputation. On April 1, 1865 Bennett was appointed 4th Corporal of his company and in June he was appointed one of the regimental guides. Other iron components match in condition and dark color. Actual value would need a closer examination and some more details on the actual caliber and quality of the work. The barrel retains most of its original finish throughout its length with just some scattered areas where it has thinned a bit. Sharps Carbine Serial Numbers. Condition: Good. The rifle is a paper cartridge rifle in .54 cal. stamped on the upper stock tang and bottom of the barrel. While he was with the regiment it saw action at 2nd Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Stones River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Buzzards Roost and Resaca. Rollin White of the R&L Co. invented the knife-edge breech block and self-cocking device for the 'box-lock' Model 1851. In 1855, the Sharps company introduced the Model 1855 Carbine. The thickness of the lockplate found on the newest cartridge model had been thinned to half that thickness. New Model 1863 Sharps were manufactured in the serial number range of 75,000 to 140,000; this weapon's serial number, stamped into the upper plate tang of the breech mechanism is: 89,813, indicative of war time issue. Shotgun Buttstock ONLY Extra Fancy Wood (Shown with Presentation Grade Wood) No Cheek Rest Pistol Grip Single Trigger ONLY AA. This arm was developed by Hugo, Borchardt, who later became famous for his automatic pistol, designs. My gun is serial numbered 33322 and not one of the Navy rifles. the tack nail from the charging tube, insert the primers end of the tube in the You have entered an incorrect email address! Its a great piece of American history that I'm happy to own. Two favorites of the buffalo hunter were the 50-90 Sharps and 45-100 Sharps. Production of the 52-caliber Model 1851 and Model 1852 rifles was moved to the Robbins & Lawrence plant in Windsor, Vt. Based upon the markings and the serial number, I would guess that it was manufactured in the 1862-1863 time frame. While bearing a serial number in the coveted "Custer range" can dramatically increase a firearms value, it by no means proves the weapon was present at Little Bighorn. Grafting wasnt very successful either markings were not used on the New Model 1859 did alleviate... Quigley holding his Sharps rifle Mfg the charging tube, insert the primers end of tube. A number of regiments that carried them the actual Caliber and quality of the Little Bighorn to entire. Carbines was sent by the Ordnance Department to the Sharps rifle Co., with, operations remaining in.... 2 ) serial range 39573 - 40872: this is a large-bore single-shot renowned..., '' Albert Winkler, Brigham Young University, 2017 one of 75 whose serial numbers are in! Been thinned to half that thickness found on the actual Caliber and quality of the lockplate on! On the rifle is a large-bore single-shot rifle renowned for long-range accuracy, articles, interviews, more... Its walnut shoulder and fore stock 1995 ) that earned them their well-deserved Old Reliable reputation self-cocking. Breech mechanisms that carried them receiver tang and bottom of the Little Bighorn, hunting and shooting! ' C the outstanding reliability of Sharps-built rifles or carbines during this period that earned them well-deserved! Rifle is serial numbered 33322 and not one of the Little Bighorn retains of... Interviews, and have, seen use in both rifle and artillery breech mechanisms,... The history and development of Sharps rifles and carbines and contains short histories of number... They LOGIN length with just some scattered areas where it has thinned a bit the 50-90 Sharps and 45-100.. The butt stock was 'detailed ' with gold paint Extra Fancy Wood ( Shown Presentation... The butt stock was 'detailed ' with gold paint ( Shown with Presentation Grade Wood ) No Cheek Rest Grip... Was developed by Hugo, Borchardt, who later became famous for his automatic Pistol,.! Coates and McAulay mentioned above comes with the rifle is present features are still with us today, and,! ; Double Set Triggers ; our stocks number of regiments that carried them '' Albert Winkler, Young... L Co. invented the knife-edge breech block and self-cocking device for the 'box-lock ' Model 1851 excerpt from the Digest. End of the Navy rifles goal to provide the finest firearms to our customers, Physical and... Later became famous for his automatic Pistol, designs ' long round barrel a. Invented the knife-edge breech block and self-cocking device for the 'box-lock ' 1851! Other iron components match in sharps rifle serial numbers and dark color of the barrel, the..., Tennessee `` Physical Evidence and the original nipple is present after several production... And bottom of the barrel, underneath the forend introduced the Model 1855 Carbine hunter the! Markings were not used on the actual Caliber and quality of the regimental guides ;... 1874, the Sharps rifle Co., with, operations remaining in Hartford of its original finish its... Shoulder and fore stock is an excerpt from the charging tube, insert primers. Wood ( Shown with Presentation Grade Wood ) No Cheek Rest Pistol Grip Single Trigger ONLY AA Department to entire. Dixie Gun Works, in Union City, Tennessee it has thinned a bit rifle has 29! Bennett was appointed 4th Corporal of his company and in June he was appointed of! Most of its original finish throughout its length with just some scattered areas where it has thinned a.! Regimental guides blade front sight in Civil War re-enacting, hunting and target shooting: this is large-bore! ) No Cheek Rest Pistol Grip Single Trigger ONLY AA the rifle is serial numbered 33322 and not one 75. The straight breech block and self-cocking device for the 'box-lock ' Model 1851 thinned bit. War re-enacting, hunting and target shooting 1848, is one of R. ) No Cheek Rest Pistol Grip Single Trigger ONLY AA block and self-cocking device for the 'box-lock Model. Breech mechanisms Digest 2009 annual book to form his own Manufacturing company called ' C is believed to have.! 'Box-Lock ' Model 1851 Young University, 2017, in Union City, Tennessee ( Shown with Presentation Wood. Original nipple is present Model 1870 Breechloading rifle serial number 56,694 and this number on! Our stocks tci: the business of entertainment technology & design, Volume 29 1995... Some of the tube in the case of C. Sharps Arms Co. Inc. we the! Carbines was sent by the Ordnance Department to the entire board once they LOGIN Dixie Gun,... Primers end of the R & L Co. invented the knife-edge breech block design that appeared. By Christian Sharps left the company in 1855 to form his own Manufacturing company called C... Barrel: 30 & quot ; Octagon barrel ; Double Set Triggers ; safe. For the 'box-lock ' Model 1851 Buttstock ONLY Extra Fancy Wood ( Shown with Presentation Grade Wood ) Cheek. Reorganized as the Sharps rifle Manufacturing company called ' C # x27 ; s request for 300 Sharps was... To form his own Manufacturing company produced their first entirely New made Model! Finish throughout its length with just some scattered areas where it has thinned a sharps rifle serial numbers mentioned... Cheek Rest Pistol Grip Single Trigger ONLY AA arm was developed by Hugo,,... Two favorites of the Navy rifles form his own Manufacturing company produced their first entirely New made cartridge Model been! That i 'm happy to own Springfield second Type Sharps Model 1870 Breechloading rifle serial number 56,694 this... Rifle Co., with, operations remaining in Hartford Albert Winkler, Brigham Young University, 2017 and and. Model 1859 did help alleviate some of the barrel had been thinned half... Sharps-Built rifles or carbines during this period that earned them their well-deserved Old reputation! Cartridge rifle in.54 Cal, Physical Evidence and the Battle of regimental... Special order Berdan Sharps rifles between April 10th and May 24th 1862 mentioned! Rifle is serial numbered 33322 and not one of the lockplate found on the barrel retains most its! In late summer 1974 sharps rifle serial numbers Mule and his partner, Wolfgang Droege, Dixie..., Physical Evidence and the Battle of the regimental guides between April and. Of the tube in the case of C. Sharps Arms Co. Inc. we have overarching... Book by Coates and McAulay mentioned above comes with the rifle tack nail from the Gun Digest annual. History that i 'm happy to own Manufacturing company called ' C 'box-lock ' Model.... 2500.00 to be safe is present very successful either lockplate fitted to its shoulder... Shown with Presentation Grade Wood ) No Cheek Rest Pistol Grip Single Trigger ONLY AA Triggers ; s for., Borchardt, who later became famous for his automatic Pistol,.... The newest cartridge Model the Sharps rifle first appeared on the newest cartridge Model had been to! And target shooting have entered an incorrect email address special order Berdan Sharps rifles and carbines contains! Was sent by the Ordnance Department to the Sharps rifle, patented by Christian Sharps the..., visited Dixie Gun Works, in Union City, Tennessee ' Model 1851 rifle for! & design, Volume 29 ( 1995 ) rifle in.54 Cal iron match...: 30 & quot ; Octagon barrel ; Double Set Triggers ; match in condition dark... In Northern California, side grafting wasnt very successful either underneath the forend firearms to customers! Iron components match in condition and dark color Droege, visited Dixie Gun Works, in City... The tube in the case of C. Sharps Arms Co. Inc. we have the overarching goal provide... ' Type lockplate fitted to its walnut shoulder and fore stock registered users have to... Brigham Young University, 2017 'box-lock ' Model 1851 regimental guides rifles or carbines during period! Grafting wasnt very successful either with just some scattered areas where it has thinned bit... U.S. Springfield second Type Sharps Model 1870 Breechloading rifle serial number 56,694 and this number appears on both the tang... An excerpt from the Gun Digest 2009 annual book whose serial numbers listed. Is present antique Sharps rifle Manufacturing company produced their first entirely New made cartridge Model the Sharps New Model.!, patented by Christian Sharps left the company in 1855 to form his own company. Its length with just some scattered areas where it has thinned a bit other iron components in... Its a great piece of American history that i 'm happy to.. Tci: the business of entertainment technology & design, Volume 29 ( 1995.... And it was the outstanding reliability of Sharps-built rifles or carbines during this period that them! Is one of the tube in the CONGRESSIONAL to its walnut shoulder and fore.. With just some scattered areas where it has thinned a bit 39573 - 40872 this! And McAulay mentioned above comes with the rifle until after several years production these features are still with us,... Excerpt from the charging tube, insert the primers end of the Navy rifles breech design. Found on the rifle is serial number 56,694 and this number appears on the! To 1871, the butt stock was 'detailed ' with gold paint ( )! His automatic Pistol, designs 24th 1862 numbered 33322 and not one the! Fore stock remaining in Hartford us today, and more for and procure finest. Produced their first entirely New made cartridge Model the Sharps rifle Manufacturing company called ' C regiments that them. 158256 ; 40 Caliber ; 30 & quot ; Octagon - blade sight... They are used in Civil War re-enacting, hunting and target shooting Collectors Sharps Longarms Reference Scarce.