Many Sharps started their life as percussion arms carried by cavalrymen, survived the devastation of the Civil War, and saw use well into the late 19th century and even early 20th century during the settlement of the West and the related Indian Wars. This carbine was manufactured in 1863-1865 as a percussion carbine for use in the Civil War and was one of 31,098 Sharps carbines and 1,086 rifles converted and refurbished by Sharps for the U.S. government to fire the new .50-70 cartridge in the late 1860s. It is part of the roughly 1/3 of the conversions that were not relined during the conversion process. The majority of these non-relined carbines are reported to have later been sold to Schuyler, Hartley & Graham in 1871. They sold large numbers of Sharps to the French the same year for use in the Franco-Prussian War. Many were later sold back to various American dealers after the war. This example has the standard Model 1863 markings and sights.

Very fine. The carbine has some marks and wear under the finish but appears to be largely unused since it was converted by Sharps and re-accepted by the U.S. government. The barrel has 95% plus of the refurbished blue finish and minor wear at the muzzle and barrel vise marks visible on the left side at the breech. The case colors remain 75% plus complete. There is some minor pitting on the saddle ring base. The wood is also very fine and has a few small chips and scratches, crisp cartouches, and a splash of varnish/oil on the left side of the butt. It remains mechanically excellent.