This Sharps was originally manufactured in 1863-1865 as a percussion carbine for use in the Civil War and was one of 31,098 carbines returned by the U.S. Government to Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Co. in 1867, who received a contract for refurbishment and alteration of their rifles for use with metallic cartridges. This example is one of around 1,900 altered carbines with a spring loaded firing pin, and it retains its original six-groove rifling. "E.A.W" inspection initials marked on the left flat of the breech end of the barrel. Script "DFC" (David F. Clark) ribbon inspection cartouche marked on the left center of the buttstock and absent primer feed mechanism (does not affect function of the gun), as typical on these metallic cartridge conversion carbines.