The Arms & Equipment in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Berdan Sharps Rifle
In Response To: Re: Berdan Sharps Rifle ()

It is clear from the barrel length you mention you have a Sharps carbine, not a Sharps rifle. Carbine barrels measure 22", while most rifles measure 30", and a few were made 36". Over 115,000 1859 & 1863 Sharps were made, and the current known lists of who they were issued to is probably less than 2000. I did go through McAulay's lists, and yours is not on the list. Being a carbine, it was made for military use, not sporting.

Of greater interest to specific collectors, is yours still in percussion format? After the Civil War, many carbines were converted to take rimfire ammunition. The nipple was removed, a steel block and firing pin was installed. Does yours still have a nipple with a hole through it? If so, it is original percussion, and would be preferred by Civil War collectors. Some people collect only Indian War weapons, so the converted model would be of greater interest to them.

Just so you know, your carbine has nothing to do with the special rifles issued to Berdan. I own a Berdan, as well as several Sharps carbines, and they still shoot quite well.

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Re: Berdan Sharps Rifle
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Re: Berdan Sharps Rifle
Re: Berdan Sharps Rifle
Re: Berdan Sharps Rifle