Sharps 1863 carbine rechambered for .50-70

[jonnyo55]

I just picked up a screamingly mint Sharps model 1863 carbine, s/n in the C11,000 range. I originally thought it to be an original percussion gun but it turns out to be one of the thousands converted to 50-70 by Uncle. Bad for originality, good for shooting. Judging from its condition, it was converted then put into a closet. How much does the conversion affect the value? Has anybody had any experience shooting these old carbines?

[raymeketa]

Check the bore very carefully. If everything is in mint condition, as you say, it is probably 52-70 caliber. Only those that had bores that weren't in good condition were altered by inserting a 50-70 barrel liner.

I,d say that the 52-70 carbines are worth more than the 50-70s, but that is just my opinion. The rim fire conversions are rare and much sought after.

Either way they are very collectable. Value is in the eye of a possible buyer. Personally, I would not shoot it. Too many chances of breaking some of the original parts.

Ray

[mannparks]

Photos

[JimF]

. . . . Has anybody had any experience shooting these old carbines?

Yup, I have . . . .

Mine is a re-lined piece . . . three wide lands and grooves.

A real hoot to shoot with a case-full of FFG, Lyman #515139 (330 grs. from my mold), lubed with 50/50 mix of beeswax and olive oil.

Also, for a smokeless load, 28 grs. AA 5744, CCI 250 Mag. primer, with same bullet and lube.

Only "down-side" is, they shoot a "mile-high" thanks to that too-low front sight.

My simple solution (rather than modifying the front sight) . . . as I only shoot for tight groups . . . . is to post a blank white target ABOVE a normal 100 yd. target.

My understanding of the need for reline was that any barrel that gaged within SA specs. (whatever they were) was left in cal. 52-70. If the original barrel was too large, the barrel was re-lined.

For shooting purposes, the relined barrel is a tighter fit to the .514" bullet I use. --Jim

[Johnny P]

Sellers indicates that any barrels that measured over .5225 were relined.

[jonnyo55]

Yep, .52 cal. it is. At first I thought that it is a rimfire, as the offset firing pin seems to be about where the top of the rim is located. I've learned, though, that all of the offset firing pins were on CF rifles. Clean, crisp rifling with only a couple of scattered rust spots keeping it from being termed "mirror". I suspect that I won't be firing it...it's just too nice. I'll take some pics and post 'em in the next couple of days.

[older than dirt]

Nice guns are made to shoot. It`s the beat up ones that you don`t want to shoot.

[Dick Hosmer]

Photos

+1 - and - there is always that one in many thousands chance that you might have one of the elusive Springfield/Sharps 1870 trials carbines, a proper example of which has, so far as I know, never surfaced. Even Frank Sellers couldn't find one when he wrote his 'bible'.

[jon_norstog]

Definitely need to see some photos of this rifle. Please!

jn