This Sharps New Model 1863 Carbine is identified by serial number on page 59 of "CIVIL WAR SHARPS CARBINES & RIFLES" by Coates & McAulay as being issued to Samuel McMullen of Company B, 10th Illinois Cavalry. The extensive documentation provided with the carbine indicates that Samuel McMullen was born in County Monaghan, Ireland in May 1841. He enlisted in the 10th Illinois Cavalry on January 1, 1862, at Springfield, Illinois. McMullen served as the B Company blacksmith and was eventually promoted to corporal. He re-enlisted as a veteran on January 3, 1864. The 10th Illinois served in Missouri and Arkansas for most of the Civil War. The regiment was issued Sharps Carbines in October 1863. Between July 1862 and November 1865, the 10th Illinois lost 1 Officer and 24 Enlisted men killed in action while 3 Officers and 262 Enlisted men died from disease. In July, 1864, Corporal McMullen was part of a scouting detachment of about 220 officers and men assigned to locate Confederate forces led by General Joseph O. Shelby. On the morning of July 14, the Illinois troopers were surprised by Shelby's cavalry in a dawn attack on their bivouac at Bayou Des Arc, Arkansas. The Illinois troops were routed and suffered 129 casualties. Corporal McMullen was captured and paroled in Jacksonport, Arkansas, on July 19, 1864. He mustered out of Federal service on November 22, 1865, at San Antonio, Texas. McMullen's Sharps carbine was almost certainly captured by Shelby's cavalry and was most likely carried by a Confederate trooper for the remainder of the Civil War. General Joe Shelby was the foremost Confederate Cavalry leader in the Trans-Mississippi west. In the late summer and fall of 1864 he led a cavalry division in General Sterling Price's invasion of Missouri. The invasion culminated in the battle of Blue Springs, Missouri. After the collapse of the Confederacy in April 1865, Shelby refused to surrender and led part of his forces to Mexico where they eventually disbanded. The Carbine is a typical Sharps New Model of 1863 Carbine with R.S. Lawrence patent folding rear sight, Lawrence patent pellet primer and a sling bar and ring in the left stock wrist. The stock is not fitted with a patch box. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped "SHARPS RIFLE/MANUFG. CO./HARTFORD CONN." in three lines ahead of the rear sight and "NEW MODEL 1863" behind it. The Ordnance Department sub-inspector's initials "A.H.K." are stamped on the left side of the barrel. The lock plate is roll-stamped "C.SHARPS' PAT/OCT.5TH 1852" and the right side of the receiver is stamped "R.S.LAWRENCE' PAT./APRIL 12TH 1858" in two lines. "C. SHARPS' PAT/SEPT. 12TH 1848" is roll-stamped on the left side of the receiver. The full serial number, "73898" is stamped on the top of the receiver tang and on the underside of the barrel. The initials "JA" are lightly carved in the left side of the stock near the butt.

Good. The carbine shows wear expected of a weapon that saw extensive service in the field. The front sight blade is a period replacement and there are traces of vice marks on the barrel at the muzzle. The barrel, receiver, lock plate, hammer, lever and buttplate have a silver-gray patina with scattered dents and scratches. There are traces of the original blue finish on the barrel near the receiver and traces of the color casehardened finish on the receiver behind the hammer. There is moderate flash pitting on the percussion nipple and on the top of the breechblock. The pellet primer is missing the spring. The rear sight is a fine original. The barrel lock plate and receiver markings are clear. A small screw has been fitted in the upper tang; the number "3" in the serial number has been obliterated by the screw hole. The walnut stock and forearm are both in about good condition. The forearm has moderate to heavy handling wear with two small chips in the right side of the barrel channel. The stock has a number of minor dents and scratches and has been varnished. There is a small repaired chip in the heel of the stock next to the buttplate. This is a solid, original, example of an identified Federal Model 1863 Sharps Carbine. As a result of the documented capture of the trooper it was originally issued to by Confederate forces, the carbine almost certainly saw service with General Joseph Shelby's Confederate cavalry. Identified Civil War weapons of any kind are scarce and very desirable. This carbine has outstanding providence and is complete with extensive documentation of the wartime service of Corporal Samuel McMullen and the action in which he was captured.