This Sharps new model carbine is both in very good condition and bears a “Z” stamping on the underside of the stock just to the rear of the trigger guard tang. These marks are now recognized as the final inspection stamp of a Confederate ordnance inspector in the Confederate Cleaning and Recovery (“C&R”) service reissuing arms that had been, “captured and collected.” The particular inspector has not been positively identified, but Steven Knott, who first identified and cataloged these markings in his 2019 “’Captured and Collected’ Confederate Reissued Firearms,” associates the mark with the Richmond Arsenal/ Artillery Workshop based on the proportion of these stamps to others and the number of guns passing through that facility. He estimated totals passing through the system as whole at perhaps 200,000 from battlefields, mostly in the eastern theatre, where Lee’s victories left Confederates in possession of the field, and another 50,000 or so turned in by CS units. These went largely to CS facilities at Danville, Staunton, Lynchburg, and Richmond. Knott’s initial catalog of markings included the letters A, F, Q, T, and Z. This has been expanded slightly and includes an ampersand (&) stamp indicating the letters need not correspond to an inspector’s initials. The “Z” mark is thought to be Louis Zimmer, of the Richmond Arsenal/ Artillery Workshop. Of the observed C&R final inspection stamps, “Q” and “Z” survive in the highest percentage.

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 nice specimen of the New Model 1863 Sharps carbine that features serial # C,28586.

Carbine has a 21½” long round barrel and a “straight-breech” type receiver fitted to its walnut shoulder stock and fore stock. Good barrel address, “SHARPS RIFLE / MANUFG CO. / HARTFORD, CONN” in front of rear sight. Rear, flip-up sight, is complete with “Lawrence” markings.  “NEW MODEL 1863” stamped to rear of sight. Front sight is crisp with nickel insert complete. Bore has light pitting with good rifling.  Maker markings and patent designations on the lock plate are sharp, as well as those on the left side of receiver. Serial number strongly stamped unto the upper plate tang. Breechblock operating lever mechanics operate smoothly. Hammer / trigger mechanics are crisp. Lawrence priming mechanism is complete. Iron bar is tight and retains its iron sling ring.

Both cartouches are present in the buttstock under the sling swivel. The swivel pad itself is stamped “H.G.S.”. The left rear barrel flat is marked “M.N.M.”. The wood shows dings and dents consistent with age and use. No cracks are present. The wood around the sling swivel shows wear from the swivel snap hook. The very front of the fore stock shows a series of small dots, possible left by a spur rowel coming in contact as the carbine was suspended by the soldiers’ feet. Gunmetal is in good condition with darker mottling overall. No patch box or patch box inlet in the butt plate, which was omitted in production by later in the war.

This New Model 1863 Sharps carbine is a good example of a favorite Civil War cavalry weapon with subsequent use by Confederate forces. [stp] [ph:L]

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