Post by jameshunt on Nov 29, 2010 22:13:25 GMT -5
Perhaps the last affordable original Sharps - the conversion carbines can often be found in fairly good condition. Converted in 1867 and 1868 they were all rebuilt at the Sharps factory, issued but not used much. Reportedly most troops did not like them (Dorsey in Guns of the Western Indian War). The early guns (referred to by collectors as 1867) were mostly unlined, and had spring loaded firing pins. The later guns (1868) were all re-lined for the .50 gvt round and had cam retracted firing pins.
Below is my conversion carbine, rough on the outside, its relined bore is perfect. The lining is so good you simply can not tell that it has been (unlike some modern work).
The little carbine shoots well, taking a .515 405 grain bullet of the original gvt type. Although one of the complaints of troopers was that it kicked to hard, I do not find it objectionable, but then again I outweigh those little fella's by at least 40 pounds.
If you should happen upon one grab it, it has plenty of history. Although no records exist for the Indian wars, sometimes they can be documented to CW units. If I recall correctly mine was carried by the 22nd New York Cav. in the Shenandoah campaign (or at least parts of the little carbine were).
Somebody appears to have killed a buffalo with one, although I have no information suggesting that they were ever used by a commercial hunter.
Below is my conversion carbine, rough on the outside, its relined bore is perfect. The lining is so good you simply can not tell that it has been (unlike some modern work).
The little carbine shoots well, taking a .515 405 grain bullet of the original gvt type. Although one of the complaints of troopers was that it kicked to hard, I do not find it objectionable, but then again I outweigh those little fella's by at least 40 pounds.
If you should happen upon one grab it, it has plenty of history. Although no records exist for the Indian wars, sometimes they can be documented to CW units. If I recall correctly mine was carried by the 22nd New York Cav. in the Shenandoah campaign (or at least parts of the little carbine were).
Somebody appears to have killed a buffalo with one, although I have no information suggesting that they were ever used by a commercial hunter.
