Need appraiser

[Fordzilla]

Good Idea!

[Car Nut]

Originally Posted by mikiec

Thanks,

He has an old shotgun that has fallen apart and is junk. I'm going to use that for practice.

Mike

I got all kinds of stuff you can practice on, afterall, practice makes perfect.

And, you do need to be perfect on that gun. Screw it up and it will be curtains for you.

So how much stuff do you want me to bring you? If that doesn't work for you, come by the garage.

[mikiec]

I could work on a couple of Kimbers for you.

Finally getting the gun in some real light.. It doesn't need much cleaning if any, the only rust appears to be in the bore.

Mike

[Fordzilla]

Mike, Then wipe a light coat of tranny fluid on the metal & call it a day. The next owner can clean the bore as it's probably been that way for 100 years. If you want just run a few cloth patches through the bore with some light oil or G96 or use tranny fluid. It will prohibit further rusting & soften any rust already there.

[Car Nut]

Originally Posted by mikiec

I could work on a couple of Kimbers for you.

Finally getting the gun in some real light.. It doesn't need much cleaning if any, the only rust appears to be in the bore.

Mike

Ummmm................NO. You would have them for 6 months and tell me that a good cleaning takes time.

Regarding the Sharps, it really is in nice shape, very little rust. Maybe Mick could chime in about those fresh stock scratches. The lighter color makes them jump out at you being that they are a lighter color.

You know, in the old days we used to a little sawdust and bacon grease to clean up that rust.

[Fordzilla]

I would just leave the scratches alone. It shows the original finish is still on the stock.
Some guys take a mixture of tobacco juice & a few other ingredients & can duplicate the original arsenal finish. I don't mess with that & prefer a gun to have the scratches as that is part of the history. Just a linseed oil is all I use to keep wood moist & nice. That is all I recommend.
Here are a couple of links that touch base on the subject of wood stocks:

http://www.winrest.com/epoxy.html

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting...nish/index.asp

[mikiec]

Here is what I have found out...

There are no records available for this Sharps. The gentileman that has all the surving sharps records, says this was, based on the S/N, converted from percussion to metal cartridge about 1869.
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I found the following write up on the net. This owner has a Sharps with a 88046 serial number.

From U.S. MILITARY ARMS, Dates of Manufacture, From 1795, Collectors Edition, By George Madis: Sharps 1859-1865 MODEL: Over 100,000 guns of these models were purchased by the U.S. between 1860 and 1865. Serial numbers from near 3000 to 100000. Thereafter the letter "C" indicates 100000, for example, "C 200" would be the serial number 100200.

Since the carbine has been converted to 50/70 I researched further and found this:

1869 Cartridge Carbine. Cal. 50 reduced from 52 cal. because the bbls. were relined. The bbls. were bored out, a liner inserted, and then rifled. The lining job was done at Springfield Armory. Bbl: 22" Overall: 39" Weight 9lbs. 9 oz. These were 31,098 Civil War guns altered between Feb. 1868 and Oct., 1869 by Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Co. for the government according to the contract Nov. 2, 1867. A new breech block replaced the percussion type.

the alteration also included the replacement of the shoulder stock with one without a cutout for the patch-box (or coffee grinder) as evidenced by the use of the original steel butplate that does have a cutout.

I was checking the info available in the archives and collection at Springfield Armory and found a notation regarding a converted New Model 1863 in their collection to the effect that some of these Sharps Carbines may have been used by New Mexico Territory Volunteers in the Spanish American War. Makes one wonder??
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The search is officially over.
The gun is in the process of being gingerly cleaned. I'll post additional pics when done.

[Fordzilla]

Mike, Not all of them had barrel liners added, That's why I asked about the number of grooves. Also, These were used by the US Cavalry during the Indian Wars. The 9th & 10th Cav (Buffalo Soldiers) were issued these.
In the Span-Am War mostly 30-40 Krags were used & some 45-70 Trapdoors. (The 71st NY went up San Juan with Teddy & carried Trapdoors) I've never heard of a 50-70 being used in Span-Am & doubt it because the ammo would have been obsolete by then.
Regards,

[mikiec]

Mick..

The barrel has 3 wide groves..

Mike

[Fordzilla]

Mike, The Government allowed all bores under .5225 to be unlined, all over that size to be lined to .50 Yours has been lined (3 grooves are the lined bore & 6 groove is original). Both utilized the 50-70 cartridge. Being lined is a good thing if you are going to shoot it as the larger bores can produce some terrible groups. Only shoot lead bullets, nothing jacketed as only a few jacketed rounds will take the bore out!
Regards,