Sharps rifle info?

[kingtigermp]

I just purchased a rifle marked Sharps Rifle C0. Bridgeport Conn. U.S.A. and the serial number is 18442. PaT Ofc. 1876

Any idea's on what it is and when it was made and issued to?

Any information would be sincerely appreciated.

 

[hrobalabama]

Some photos would surely help. If it has an 1876 date on it, it would not have been used in the Civil War.
It is perhaps an 1876 Sharps or a Sharps-Borchart. Does it have an external hammer?

 

[kingtigermp]

From what I have read so far, a Sharps-Borchart would have that name above the Sharps Rifle Co. It is a hammerless model, some parts broken like the lever action handle end. The barrel has no markings and it looks like a replacement as it has some vise grip like marks where it might have been gripped to turn the barrel into the receiver. I will attempt to post a couple of pictures.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

Being hammer less makes it a Sharps-Borchardt. As for who used them....Michigan, South Carlina, and Louisana Militia units. There were also sporting and target models made. If yours is a full stock it would be a military model.
J.

 

[kingtigermp]

The one I have is a full stock model. Can you direct me on how to post pictures and I will post several. Maybe with that serial number we can trace it to place of issue and to what group.

 

[hrobalabama]

The one I have is a full stock model. Can you direct me on how to post pictures and I will post several. Maybe with that serial number we can trace it to place of issue and to what group.

Hit "reply" and then "Upload a file." Then choose the photo.

 

[johan_steele]

A Sharps Borchardt with military stock.

 

[kingtigermp]

Here are some pictures. They would not load with Safari so I changed browsers to Google Chrome and here they are.

 

[kingtigermp]

Any ideas on where this rifle was issued or does anyone know of a website that could tell me?

 

[Jobe Holiday]

That information is virtually non-existent, for the reason it will take years of research in post Civil War state archives and there has been little interest in it by those who do the research. One of the major reasons is that the Militia units who had them did nothing with them other than stand inspection and qualify once a year. Civil War arms on the other hand hold a great deal of interest with collectors who are hoping to find a serial numbered arm with a match to someone who used it at Gettysburg, or somewhere else famous in history.
J.

 

[kingtigermp]

Thank you Jobe. I appreciate your insight very much. Looks like I got a good old "wall hanger".