Well, I FINALLY own an original Sharps rifle!  It arrived 2 days early since the tracking number said it was going to arrive on Dec 27th, so Merry Christmas to me.  Even came supplied with a home-made wood transport / storage box.  A civil war era percussion Sharps 3 band military rifle that was converted into .50-70 cartridge after the war.  A friend has a Sharps book that lists serial numbers and although this one isn't listed there are several very close to it that were issued to Volunteer Veteran regiments.  The original owner said it came up with a relative from the US and that he was a New York Militia volunteer.  Some pitting in the bore, but there is still lots of rifling so hopefully it should still be a shooter.  I'm hoping to get some time in the New Year to get this rifle and a few others out to test at the range.

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Merry Christmas, for sure. 

That's a fine, honest-looking rifle! Merry Christmas to you indeed! Enjoy!

I see Santa didn't get the memo on you being bad.  I'M NOT GOING TO TELL HIM. Enjoy that fine looking rifle. When you get it shooting Please give us a report.

A. J. Palik

Good to see another nice rifle that will be used and enjoyed. Merry Christmas from Australia 

I shoot my 50-70 Sharps carbine as well as my 1870 trapdoor.  The army had 30,000 carbines out of 60,000 1859 and 1863 percussion models converted.  Also 1000 and a handful rifles converted all with Sharps parts and Springfield labor in '67-'68.  The military rifles are uncommon.  The post war army tried them and only made a few 50-70 trapdoor carbines (rare), then after 1873, decided to go 45-70.   

The cavalry regiments were armed with mostly M-1865 56-50 Spencer carbines with Sharps 50s added for evaluation.  They then surplused the Sharps to the states for militias (and in Texas for the Rangers who needed the longer range for Indians).  After about 1875 or 6, the Rangers transitioned to '73 Winchesters for more of a police type mission.

I have used 28 gr. of XMP5744 with a 38 special case full of malt-o-meal thrown in under a 420 grain lyman almost pure lead 515141 for years.  Too lazy to clean black powder.  I don't target shoot with it, so refine your own.

     James

Nice rifle.

Regards,
Powderman