I picked up a sharps carbine conversion awhile back that’s a smooth bore, I had read in a couple of my sharps books that the smooth bores were 20ga. A 20ga is to big as is a 28ga, a 410 falls into the chamber. I can’t do a chamber cast at the moment but did some measuring on it, the rim is .525, chamber is .507 and muzzle is .502. Anyone take a SWAG at what it was chambered for??? My plan is to have it lined for a caliber I already shoot, just haven’t decided what yet. But would like to know what it was originally chambered for in the smooth bore configuration. I’ve cleaned the barrel good and it is in great shape and definitely a smooth bore, zero trace of rifling. Thanks
Chris W

When those carbines were converted from percussion to cartridge there were some specifications on the bore dimensions.   If it was under a certain size the original Sharps barrel was not sleeved.   Only the chamber was sleeved so that the 50-70 would fit properly.  These are sometimes referred to as 52-70s.   I once had one of these carbines and the chamber "looked like" it was for a 20 gauge shot shell.   The rifling was the original Sharps 6 groove rifling.   Obviously the chamber sleeve had either fallen out or been purposely removed.   I would take a real good look and see if that isn't what you have there.

Regards,
George

If it helps I have a few spare 50-70 cases I could send you a couple. PM me your address and I will send you a couple. I am interested in what you may have...


JMH

Any ideal where I could find a 32ga hull?