SHARPS MODEL 1863 CARBINE CARRIED BY TROOPER PRESENT AT THE DEATH OF THE FIRST GETTYSBURG CASUALTY GEORGE WASHINGTON SANDOE

$3,250.00 SOLD

Quantity Available: None

Item Code: 600-06

The carbine offered here was carried by William H. Lightner when he served with the 1st Maryland Cavalry of the Potomac Home Brigade in 1865. Lightner is famous for his prior service in Company B, 21st Pennsylvania Cavalry. On June 26, 1863 Lightner and Private George Washington Sandoe were out on a scout just south of Gettysburg when they ran into Confederate pickets. A published account of the incident says:

“Less than two months after their victory at Chancellorsville, the Army of Northern Virginia surged northward. As part of Major General Jubal Anderson Early's Division of Ewell's Corps, Confederate Brigadier General John B. Gordon's Brigade arrived in Gettysburg on June 26, 1863. Union Private George W. Sandoe of the 21st Pennsylvania Cavalry, ‘an advance scout of a company of volunteer cavalry’, rode unknowingly in the direction of Gordon's men. Private Sandoe had served with the Cavalry for only a few days having enlisted less than a week earlier. Hidden behind brush and bushes, pickets from General Gordon's brigade spotted Sandoe and a companion, ordering them to halt. William Lightner, the fellow cavalryman riding with him, succeeded in turning his horse and racing down the Baltimore Pike to safety. Private Sandoe did not. His horse fell and as he tried to remount and ride off, a Southern soldier shot him in the head.”

After his discharge from the 21st Pennsylvania Cavalry, William Lightner enlisted in the 1st Maryland Cavalry, Potomac Home Brigade. It was at this time that he was issued the carbine described below.

This Model 1863 Sharps carbine has a 22.00 inch, round, .52 barrel with iron blade front sight and a single leaf rear sight with slider. Barrel surface is mostly gray with hints of the original blue visible in areas. Barrel markings are present, but faint and not readable. The surface of the barrel has the lightest of scattered pitting. The single barrel band is present and matches the barrel perfectly. Bore has great rifling and some dirt. Should clean up well.

The straight breech, lock and hammer all match in color. They are gray with areas of dark oxidation and minor surface pitting. Some original blue remains on the breechblock pin along with some surface rust. Only readable markings in this area are on the lock “C. SHARPS’ PAT. / OCT. 5th 1852.” Hammer holds at half and full cock and falls properly. Action works well. Original nipple is present. Receiver tang bears serial number “C6258” which identifies the weapon to Lightner. Ordnance records showing he was issued this weapon comes with the item.

Oil finished walnut stock is uncleaned and still shows much original finish. The front right of the forearm has 1.75 inch sliver of wood missing otherwise the forearm is very good. Buttstock has saddle bar and ring mounted on left side. There is a small gouge of wood missing near lower base of bar mount. This is old and the wood matches the rest of the butt. Two good cartouche marks are present under the saddle bar. They are not crisp but they are not really faint either. Sort of an in between quality. Wood has no cracks.

Triggerguard and buttplate match the rest of the iron on the weapon. Some screw heads show light wear. Overall it is a very attractive weapon and presents nicely.

William H. Lightner was born May 4, 1836 in Westminster, Maryland. He was 27 years old when he enlisted in Gettysburg as a Private in Company B, 21st Pennsylvania Cavalry for six months service, on June 18, 1863. He was mustered in on the 23rd. Lightner was present throughout his enlistment and it was during this time that the incident with Private Sandoe described above, took place.  Lightner was mustered out at Chambersburg on February 20, 1864.

Lightner next enlisted on March 13, 1865 as a Private in Company F of the 1st Maryland Cavalry, Potomac Home Brigade. It was at this time that the weapon offered here was issued to him. The muster-in roll describes Lightner as standing 5’ 8” tall, with light hair, blue eyes, fair complexion and by profession a farmer. He was mustered-in at Harper’s Ferry on March 16, 1865 and was mustered-out the following June 25th.

After the war he resided in Harney, Maryland. He died of peritonitis caused by appendicitis on May 5, 1893 and is buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Harney, Maryland.

With the weapon is a file of military and pension records.  [ad]

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

Inquire About SHARPS MODEL 1863 CARBINE CARRIED BY TROOPER PRESENT AT THE DEATH OF THE FIRST GETTYSBURG CASUALTY GEORGE WASHINGTON SANDOE

For inquiries, please email us at [email protected]

featured item

AMBROTYPE OF IDENTIFIED MUSICIAN OF THE PETERSBURG MILITIA

Formerly in the collection of Bill Turner, this sixth plate ambrotype has a great pedigree, having been published as Figure 2 in Albaugh’s landmark “Confederate Faces.” Identified there as a, “Musician named Crowder, of Petersburg, Va., in… (1138-1866). Learn More »

Upcoming Events

28
Mar

April 13-14: Spring Gettysburg Military Antiques Show Learn More »

Instagram