The most famous, single-shot, percussion firearm used during the Civil War was the Sharps carbine, a .52 caliber, breechloading firearm invented and patented by Hartford, Connecticut native Christian Sharps. Presented here is a Sharps M1863 carbine identified by serial number to Private Orange Childs of Company G, 13^th New York Volunteer cavalry. The 5’ 4” tall eighteen-year-old resident of Constable, NY volunteered for the new 13^th NY regiment at Malone, NY on June 24, 1863 as a bugler. He mustered into service at Staten Island, NY on July 10 for three years. The company left the state on Aug 14, 1863 for Virginia where Childs was detached for service at Fairfax Station until August 30. He returned to his unit and was present until October 1864 when he was reported sick in the hospital. Childs returned to detached service and on Feb 15, 1865, the trooper was reported confined to the regimental guardhouse. While confined, Childs was promoted to Corporal on Apr 21 and subsequently deserted the army on June 20, 1865 from the guard house at Prospect Hill, VA. He escaped with his horse, his arms, and all his equipment and no further record of him exists in the files.

Child’s New Model 1863 Sharps carbine has serial # 92242, has a 21½” long round barrel and a ‘straight-breech’ type lockplate fitted to a black walnut stock and forend. Stock and forend appear to have been cleaned at one time. No inspector cartouches visible. Stock shows normal dings, dents from usage and does have nice saddle wear on left side of stock. Lock screws are original and in good condition.

Metal surfaces of the carbine are a mottled dark gray as is the butt plate. No trace of original colors are present. Barrel markings are very thin as is the patent stamp on the left side of receiver. Bore with its six-groove rifling strong, thinly rifled, and should clean to bright. Lockplate stampings strong. Serial number #92242 stamped on the receiver tang. Breechblock operating lever mechanics are crisp. Has the original sling bar and ring.

This M1863 Sharps carbine, identified to young trooper, Orange Childs of the 13^th NY cavalry, is an original issue cavalry shortarm that holds an interesting Civil War provenance. Carbine also comes with Childs’ military and ordnance records from the National Archives in Washington DC.

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