This is an interesting New Model 1863 Sharps carbine showing active field use, but rating about very good for condition, complete, all original, with all parts in place- front and rear sights, sling bar and ring, etc., with very good mechanics, clean bore, and good rifling, and decent wood. The NM1863 omitted the patch box of the NM1859s, had a larger clean-out screw, but preserved the general breech-loading .52 Cal. configuration and were produced beginning in July 1863 in a serial number range of roughly 71235 to C49528 (i.e., 149528,) overlapping in the lower numbers with the New Model 1859 and in the upper numbers with the New Model 1865. This one is serial number 87341. A delivery on November 5, 1863 of some Sharps NM1863 carbines is recorded with some numbers in the upper 90000 range, so this likely predates that by several weeks, perhaps giving it a September-October date- in plenty of time for some of the major cavalry engagements and expeditions. We have noted some close serial numbers in specific units, but these are not enough to pin down a regiment.

This has two unusual features: the earlier brass buttplate (with cut for the patchbox door) used on the New Model 1859 into the 36000 range or so, and a tinned (or perhaps nickel) finish to the other metal, about 60 percent or better of which or better remains, with underlying metal smooth where it was worn off, but oxidized to brown. The tin shows as a dull silver. The barrel shows a good deal of rubbing to it, but the tin mostly remains, with brown showing more at the beginning of the forestock where the hand would touch it, on the barrel band, and further back on front and on the left of the receiver.

The tin finish was thin and does not affect the legibility of the standard markings. The top of the barrel is marked NEW MODEL 1863 in front of the breech and SHARPS’ RIFLE / MANUFG. CO. / HARTFORD CONN. in front of the rear sight; R.S. LAWRENCE PAT. / APRIL 12th, 1859 behind the hammer and C. SHARPS’ / OCT. 5th 1852 on the lockplate. The SHARPS PAT / SEPT 12th 1848 on the left receiver though it is on brown metal and tougher to make out, as is the Lawrence patent stamp on the rear sight base: R.S. LAWRENCE / PATENTED / FEB. 15th 1859. The sling bar and ring are in place, the former showing the H.D.H. inspection stamp of Henry D. Hastings. The wood has a good fit to the metal and decent surface though the wrist and forestock show somewhat darker from handling and any cartouches in the wood on the left the wrist are not visible. The buttstock flats and comb show various small dings and handling marks. The left buttflat shows the shallow, broad abrasion arc about a third of the way between the buttplate and receiver from extended carrying on a carbine sling, caused by the frame of the large roller buckle holding the snap swivel moving against the buttstock while the horse is in motion and the forestock of the carbine is held in the small leather carbine socket low on the trooper’s right side.

This is an interesting, untouched Sharps. The tin finish is often associated with naval usage, but Sharps and Hankins short Army carbines are known with it and perhaps the Sharps Firearms Mfg. Company was keeping an eye on their old founder’s recent innovations or attempting to cut in with the same purchaser by offering similar finish. Those Sharps and Hankins carbines seem to have been a special purchase by New York State intended for the 3^rd NY Cavalry. If there were no US inspection/acceptance cartouches on the wrist of this carbine it may well have been a similar private or state purchase.  [sr][ph:L]

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