Sharps New Model 1859 Cartridge Conversion Saddle Ring Carbine

37. Sharps New Model 1859 Cartridge Conversion Saddle Ring Carbine – Serial # 74456, Caliber 50-70, 22 inch round barrel, blue/color case hardened finish, walnut stock. This is an example of one of the percussion Civil War Carbines converted during the Indian Wars that was to fire the .50-70 center fire cartridge. This carbine has the three groove barrel. These carbines were refurbished by Sharps during the conversion process and if needed the stocks were replaced with ones not having a patch box, which is the case with this example. The barrels were blued with casehardened barrel band, receiver, lever, hammer and buttplate. The sling bar and ring were finished bright. The carbine has a brass front sight blade and folding, adjustable leaf rear sight with a Lawrence patent marked base graduated to 800 yards. The Lawrence percussion pellet priming system is intact. The barrel is absent of any markings and the receiver and lock markings are faint. There is the letter “C” on the upper left side of the receiver. The wood is smooth oil finished black walnut forearm and straight grip butt stock with a boxed “EF” cartouche on the left wrist and boxed “DH” cartouche on the left side of the butt-stock. The Sharps .50-70 metallic conversion carbines were widely issued to the U.S. Cavalry, including the 10th and 7th Cavalry regiments on the frontier after the Civil War and remained in service until they were replaced by the .45-70 Springfield Carbine.

CONDITION: Fine with 70% blue finish remaining on the barrel with some minor spotting. The receiver and lock retain 30% case colors, brightest in the loading port, with the balance having a smooth mottled brown patina. The lever has a smooth dark patina and the buttplate has a smooth mottled silver gray patina. The wood is very good as refinished with a loose hairline crack on the upper right rear of the forearm and overall a few minor dings and dents. The cartouches are clear and this old piece of history is mechanically excellent…$2,950.00.

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