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Title:	RIFLE, MILITARY -  SHARPS RIFLE NEW MODEL 1863 .52 SN# C33934
Maker/Manufacturer:	SHARPS, CHRISTIAN
Date of Manufacture:	1863
Eminent Figure:
Catalog Number:	SPAR 1718
Measurements:	OL:119.3CM 47" BL: 76.2CM 30"

Object Description:

SHARPS RIFLE NEW MODEL 1863 .52 SN# C33934
Manufactured by Sharps Rifle Company, Hartford, Ct. in 1863 - Modified Sharps New Model 1863 rifle. Has been half-stocked and one barrel band remaining. Sights removed. Hooded cross hair front sight and peep tang sight added. Entire wooden portion of weapon profusely inlaid with German silver and mother of pearl with various designs. Many of the design are Union Army Corps badges, and each is numbered. There are seven major inlays on the forearm and 40 major inlays on the butt stock.

Markings:
Barrel (top): SHARP'S RIFLE/MANUFG. CO./HARTFORD, CONN. NEW MODEL 1863. M.N.M.
Lock: R.S. LAWRENCE PAT./APRIL 12TH 1859. C. SHARPS' PAT./OCT. 5TH 1852.
Tang: 33934.
Band: M.
Triggerguard: M.
Buttplate: M.
Stock: The Web Site photo shows the inlays. There are numbers associated with many of these.

Weapon donated to the Museum by Charles L. Davis, Springfield, Ma. on 20 August, 1936.

Exhibit label: "SPORTERIZED SHARPS NEW MODEL 1863 RIFLE .52 caliber - After the Civil War, many surplus weapons found their way into the hands of civilians and were modified for hunting and target purposes. This Sharps rifle has been fitted with cross-hair front sights and a peep rear sight and the stock has been decorated with 47 silver and mother-of-pearl inlays. Many of the designs are Union Army corps emblems indicating use by a former soldier."

Notes: The Sharps was one of the first successful breechloaders, and was considered one of the best rifles of its era. It was the only rifle which made a successful conversion from percussion to metallic cartridge. An experienced rifleman could fire about ten shots a minute.

"Sharps rifles of both patterns emerged as one of the most famous of all Civil War arms, second, possibly, only to the Spencer. Approximately 100,000 Sharps arms of all types were produced during the war, of which, according to records, 9,141 were rifles." - Reilly

"One of the dirtiest, rustiest and generally cruddy pieces we've worked on! Slowly and with great care (and difficulty) the weapon was completely disassembled with no harm done. Each metal part was washed, scrubbed with 0000 steel wool. The stock was carefully wiped down with a cloth dampened with mineral spirits. Everything was dried and waxed, internal parts lightly greased, and the weapon reassembled. Great wax as an adhesive for his inlays. The only thing not cleaned was the interior of the patch box which contained considerable traced of old dried patch grease. This appeared stable and because of its historic interest was left. Also we found the rotted remains of a coarse weave greased patch stuffed into the cavity of the breech block - anyone who has done much shooting with a percussion Sharps will know what this was for!
The ser. no. (C.33934) is stamped on the tang and also under the barrel. The rear sling swivel purposely removed and hole covered by a fish inlay. Forearm halfstocked. Front sight missing. Hammer cracked. Interior of front sight globe contains wire ring remains of a crosshair front sight - crosshairs missing." - Meuse, NPS Curator

References:
Reilly, Robert. UNITED STATES MILITARY SMALL ARMS 1816-1865. The Eagle Press. Baton Rouge, La. 1970.
Sellers, Frank. SHARPS FIREARMS. Sellers Publication. Denver, Co. 1982.