This carbine was originally produced as a standard New Model 1863 Sharps percussion carbine during the war, and along with some 31,098 others and 1,086 rifles, was converted by Sharps to fire the new .50-70 Centerfire U.S. Government cartridge in the late 1860s. This example has a relined, 3 groove barrel with a German silver blade front sight and folding ladder rear sight. During the conversion the wood was replaced as needed. The left side of the wrist has a boxed "EF" cartouche just above the saddle ring bar, and the left side of the butt has a "DFC" banner cartouche. In the late 19th century, many of these carbines were subject to subsequent hard use in the Indian Wars across the American West.