Hello,
As a new recruit, I am honored to be part of CivilWarTalk. In reviewing many of your forums, I came to realize the vast amount of Civil War knowledge possessed by the members. Being born and raised in California, I did not get very much firsthand experience at the history of the Civil War. However, I am hoping that a Sharps carbine, which has been in my family for many years, may indeed have a Civil War connection. The carbine in question is a New Model 1859 carbine, SN327XX. My grandfather was the curator of the firearm for many years before it was passed down to me. Where he obtained the carbine is a mystery. However, during the Civil War, his uncle was a member of the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Regiment, Company D of the California Guard, known as the Suisun Light Dragoons. My understanding is the California Guard was the forerunner of the current California National Guard. It is my understanding that the Army's Benicia Arsenal did contain Sharps NM1859 carbines prior to the outbreak of the Civil War. Stories have it that these carbines were shipped back east to be used where the fighting was. I was able to contact the curator at the Benicia Arsenal in Benicia, California. Even though his records indicate that there was an inventory of 1859 carbines at the arsenal and in the serial number range of my carbine, my serial number was not listed on any of the inventory sheets that he had. I also checked the book Civil War Sharps Carbines & Rifles for the serial number, with no luck. On top of soliciting member's help on any information on this carbine, I am also asking for assistance in identifying two cartouches that are in the stock. One is "JT", which I have been told is for inspector John Taylor. The other cartouche is very difficult to read. The best I can come up with is "WAT".
Any information that can be passed on to me about this carbine would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
As a new recruit, I am honored to be part of CivilWarTalk. In reviewing many of your forums, I came to realize the vast amount of Civil War knowledge possessed by the members. Being born and raised in California, I did not get very much firsthand experience at the history of the Civil War. However, I am hoping that a Sharps carbine, which has been in my family for many years, may indeed have a Civil War connection. The carbine in question is a New Model 1859 carbine, SN327XX. My grandfather was the curator of the firearm for many years before it was passed down to me. Where he obtained the carbine is a mystery. However, during the Civil War, his uncle was a member of the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Regiment, Company D of the California Guard, known as the Suisun Light Dragoons. My understanding is the California Guard was the forerunner of the current California National Guard. It is my understanding that the Army's Benicia Arsenal did contain Sharps NM1859 carbines prior to the outbreak of the Civil War. Stories have it that these carbines were shipped back east to be used where the fighting was. I was able to contact the curator at the Benicia Arsenal in Benicia, California. Even though his records indicate that there was an inventory of 1859 carbines at the arsenal and in the serial number range of my carbine, my serial number was not listed on any of the inventory sheets that he had. I also checked the book Civil War Sharps Carbines & Rifles for the serial number, with no luck. On top of soliciting member's help on any information on this carbine, I am also asking for assistance in identifying two cartouches that are in the stock. One is "JT", which I have been told is for inspector John Taylor. The other cartouche is very difficult to read. The best I can come up with is "WAT".
Any information that can be passed on to me about this carbine would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.