I'm not a Sharps expert, or even close! But it appears to be a mixture of parts from different eras, which is not uncommon with military carbines. I believe it's an 1859 though.
Not sure you can reline a carbine to .50-70 with the thin barrels they have. It might require you get a replacement barrel to get it shooting.

Based on the lack of a patchbox, I'd guess this is one of the roughly 30,000 Model 1863 carbines that were factory-converted soon after The War; if so, it should already be a 50-70.

As for the asking price of $1500, to me the gun has been used and abused beyond that being a good deal, especially since so many carbines were converted relative to those reissued that examples in NRA Very Fine or better condition are still quite easy to find (though for more like $2000-$3000)

As for relining the bore, if the current barrel has 3-groove rifling, it already has a liner.  Enough said, other than to caution that in my opinion such guns should be fired only with black powder or mild smokeless loads.

Bill Lawrence

Thanks.....But I've been looking for a 50-70 Carbine for around $1500 for a couple years with no success. I almost went reproduction AMARI a couple times. Not sure what I'm going to do on this one......Stay tuned!

Price depends on if it's worth it to you. With that said they are a reasonably fun shooter.I have one in pretty good shape. Since it's set up for cartridge, it's likely 50-70.

The draw back is that it's a light rifle for the load it shoots and with only a 16" barrel it's velocity challenged.

What I have seen in a fair number is actually a very good bore and action. Many that were converted to cartridge did not see a ton of use.

Fun to shoot on an overcast or dark day on a crowded range. If I could find a way to install a muzzle brake, I'd line up next to the clown with the 338 Lapua. Nothing like blackpowder and about a foot too little barrel to clear a firing line.

At the end of the Civil War, a large number of Sharps carbines were converted to the center fire 50/70 cartridge.  If the original barrel in 52 caliber was in good condition, the barrel was untouched.  If the barrel was in more used condition, it was lined to 50 caliber and shot a .515 bullet.  This looks like it was relined by the Army.

Its condition is somewhat rough but the values of these carbines are going up.  The ones I see at auction usually go over $2000 but in much better condition.  And you do see many up for auction.  Keep looking,

The original bores had 6 groove rifling the relined bores had 3 groove rifling when done by the government.

Regards,
Powderman

Rich_Siegel wrote on May 8^th, 2018 at 8:37am:

I think you did OK. Keep us informed how it turns out. Have fun with it.