Gun info

[Herman Eaker]

The man that gave me this gun years ago has recently passed away so I can't get more info on it.

Originally, he said the gun was part of a 200 gun donation to a Illinois militia.
Thanks for any info

 

[tbuckley]

Welcome from eastern Ohio.
Could you post pictures of the lock and hammer? Is this percussion or does it take a metallic cartridge?

 

[nc native]

I'm not a Civil War firearms expert but that looks like a Sharps rifle there. The markings
were hard to read but Sharps rifles were used in large numbers during the Civil War and
in the Old West too. They were used primarily by Union forces because the Confederacy
lacked the cartridge producing capability to supply ammunition for them. I'm not going
to try to guess the year of manufcture but Sharps rifles in good condition are of interest
to military collectors. I had a chance to buy a 1859 Sharps some years ago for less than
five hundred dollars and now I wish I had.

 

[Herman Eaker]

Welcome from eastern Ohio.
Could you post pictures of the lock and hammer? Is this percussion or does it take a metallic cartridge?

It takes a 54 caliber paper cartridge

I'm not a Civil War firearms expert but that looks like a Sharps rifle there. The markings
were hard to read but Sharps rifles were used in large numbers during the Civil War and
in the Old West too. They were used primarily by Union forces because the Confederacy
lacked the cartridge producing capability to supply ammunition for them. I'm not going
to try to guess the year of manufcture but Sharps rifles in good condition are of interest
to military collectors. I had a chance to buy a 1859 Sharps some years ago for less than
five hundred dollars and now I wish I had.

Welcome from eastern Ohio.
Could you post pictures of the lock and hammer? Is this percussion or does it take a metallic cartridge?

 

[Herman Eaker]

It was made in 1860

 

[cwbuff]

Pics are not the best, but it looks like an early Sharps 1859 New Model Military Rifle. Its serial number also fits this model's range.

 

[Herman Eaker]

ok, thank you

 

[Herman Eaker]

ok, thank you

Also, if anyone has any additional information on a gun like this, I would really appreciate it. It belongs to my grandfather and would love for him to be able to read about it.
He loves info on guns more than anything

 

[redbob]

A Model 1859 Percussion Sharp's Rifle(military) .52 caliber with pellet primer and a sling that appears to be from an '03 Springfield). Sharp's Rifles and carbines were a sought after Civil War weapon and used by the Union throughout the War.

 

[Herman Eaker]

Thank you.
Any idea of what it could be worth?

 

[redbob]

Thank you.
Any idea of what it could be worth?

It really depends on it's condition, but a thousand dollar Sharp's would be considered a steal.

 

[Don Dixon]

Looking at the left rear of the barrel, immediately forward of the receiver, does it have the inspector's mark "M.N.M."?

Regards,
Don Dixon

 

[tbuckley]

Thanks for posting the additional pictures of your M1859 Sharps.

 

[Herman Eaker]

Looking at the left rear of the barrel, immediately forward of the receiver, does it have the inspector's mark "M.N.M."?

Regards,
Don Dixon

No, it has "N" on top of the barrel and the serial number and x2 at the bottom of the barrel.
The wood is marked HN.
There is an inspectors mark on almost everything.

 

[captaindrew]

Welcome from South Florida

 

[kel1985]

Welcome from Pittsburgh! Nice looking rifle!

 

[UCVRelics]

Welcome From THE Heart Of Dixie. Nice Sharps. Below are the serial# range in the SRS even though yours it not listed it will give some idea as to the time frame and the units surrounding yours. On value, there are so many different variables, is condition of both medal and wood, lands & grooves in the bore etc so its hard to give a value based off photos.

36408 C 020365CO K 3RD NJ VOL CAV
36624 C 020365CO K 3RD NJ VOL CAV
36735 C CO B 4TH KY VOL CAV
36807 C 020365CO K 3RD NJ VOL CAV
37054 C 020365CO K 3RD NJ VOL CAV
37158 C 073170CO B 2ND CAV (UNS)
37383 C 020365CO K 3RD NJ VOL CAV
37679 C CO B 4TH KY VOL CAV
37691 CO K 9TH ILL VOL CAV
37785 C 061372ST LOUIS CAV DEPOT (TO SA)

 

[gary]

Wiley Sword lists ser#39573-40872 and #54390-57574 as the primary range for Sharps rifles used by Berdan Sharp Shooters.

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy. Nice NM1859 Sharps Rifle which would have been used in the Civil War

 

[zburkett]

Whatever the dollar value, that is a really nice gun.