Ridgeway Civil War Research Center, A virtual examination of artifacts of the American Civil War
	Civil War Weapons, all pre 1898
	by Harry Ridgeway

Breechloader, Sharps single shot percussion rifle, New Model 1863, iron patchbox, infantry model, configured for socket bayonet, .52cal. . Sharps rifle was a single shot percussion breechloader using paper cartridge. The Sharps series of rifles and carbines became the most important breechloaders utilized in the Civil War. The Model 1863, reflected only minor improvements over the Model 1859, mostly elimination of the patchbox. Serial numbers for the New Model 1863 generally run 65,000 to 140,000, some overlap with other models. The longer rifle was well suited for marksmen, Most Model 1863 Sharps rifles were issued to veteran infantry regiments organized late in the war. Manufactured by Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Co., Hartford, Connecticut. Mark on top of barrel, NEW MODEL 1863.. Mark on sight, R.S. LAWRENCE / PATENTED / FEB. 15TH 1859.. Mark forward of sight, SHARPS RIFLE / MANUFG. CO. / HARTFORD CONN. Notches on top of barrel and receiver for alignment. Mark on lock near center: C. SHARPS' PAT. / OCT. 5TH 1852. Mark upper lock: R. S. LAWRENCE' PAT. / APRIL 12TH 1859. Mark left side of receiver: C. SHARPS' PAT. / SEPT. 12TH 1848. Serial number on rear breech. Cartouches on wood on left side beneath the saddle bar indicate government inspection, additional inspector mark on the barrel. Standard features include: iron buttplate, iron patchbox, iron loading lever serves as a trigger guard, three iron bands and a nose cap, percussion nipple was designed to utilize a tape primer system that did not work very well and was usually disabled, but conventional cap served effectively, hinged Sharps sight, two strap hooks one on the butt and the other on the second band, rifling with six lands and grooves. The rifle was intended for infantry and marksmen, it was not configured with a saddle bar. Nose has conventional forward sight and is configured to take a socket bayonet. Research Center: Weapon2428-Breechloader-Sharps-Rifle-Model-1863 . Reference: Flayderman F5-025. Barrel length 30in. Details click: http://relicman.com/weapons/Weapon2428-Breechloader-Sharps-Rifle-Model-1863.html

W1349 ### Breechloader, Sharps single shot percussion rifle, New Model 1863, iron patchbox, infantry model, configured for socket bayonet, .52cal. (sn# C34935) . Sharps rifle was a single shot percussion breechloader using paper cartridge. The Sharps series of rifles and carbines became the most important breechloaders utilized in the Civil War. The Model 1863, reflected only minor improvements over the Model 1859, mostly elimination of the patchbox. Serial numbers for the New Model 1863 generally run 65,000 to 140,000, some overlap with other models. The longer rifle was well suited for marksmen, Most Model 1863 Sharps rifles were issued to veteran infantry regiments organized late in the war. Manufactured by Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Co., Hartford, Connecticut. Mark on top of barrel, NEW MODEL 1863.. Mark on sight, R.S. LAWRENCE / PATENTED / FEB. 15TH 1859.. Mark forward of sight, SHARPS RIFLE / MANUFG. CO. / HARTFORD CONN. Notches on top of barrel and receiver for alignment. Mark on lock near center: C. SHARPS' PAT. / OCT. 5TH 1852. Mark upper lock: R. S. LAWRENCE' PAT. / APRIL 12TH 1859. Mark left side of receiver: C. SHARPS' PAT. / SEPT. 12TH 1848. Serial number on rear breech. Cartouches on wood on left side beneath the saddle bar indicate government inspection, additional inspector mark on the barrel. Standard features include: iron buttplate, iron patchbox, iron loading lever serves as a trigger guard, three iron bands and a nose cap, percussion nipple was designed to utilize a tape primer system that did not work very well and was usually disabled, but conventional cap served effectively, hinged Sharps sight, two strap hooks one on the butt and the other on the second band, rifling with six lands and grooves. The rifle was intended for infantry and marksmen, it was not configured with a saddle bar. Nose has conventional forward sight and is configured to take a socket bayonet. Research Center: Weapon2428-Breechloader-Sharps-Rifle-Model-1863 . Reference: Flayderman F5-025. Barrel length 30in. Serial number, C34935. Serial number C34935 is positively attributed to George Loth, Company K 4th Veteran Volunteers. In late 1864, the Veteran Volunteers were formed, filled by veterans re-enlisting. Part of the recruitment draw was that these veterans were issued breech loading rifles, which were far superior to anything anybody else had, and they were allowed to keep them.

W0540 ### Breechloader, Sharps single shot percussion rifle, New Model 1863, iron patchbox, infantry model, configured for socket bayonet, .52cal. (sn# C38815) . Sharps rifle was a single shot percussion breechloader using paper cartridge. The Sharps series of rifles and carbines became the most important breechloaders utilized in the Civil War. The Model 1863, reflected only minor improvements over the Model 1859, mostly elimination of the patchbox. Serial numbers for the New Model 1863 generally run 65,000 to 140,000, some overlap with other models. The longer rifle was well suited for marksmen, Most Model 1863 Sharps rifles were issued to veteran infantry regiments organized late in the war. Manufactured by Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Co., Hartford, Connecticut. Mark on top of barrel, NEW MODEL 1863.. Mark on sight, R.S. LAWRENCE / PATENTED / FEB. 15TH 1859.. Mark forward of sight, SHARPS RIFLE / MANUFG. CO. / HARTFORD CONN. Notches on top of barrel and receiver for alignment. Mark on lock near center: C. SHARPS' PAT. / OCT. 5TH 1852. Mark upper lock: R. S. LAWRENCE' PAT. / APRIL 12TH 1859. Mark left side of receiver: C. SHARPS' PAT. / SEPT. 12TH 1848. Serial number on rear breech. Cartouches on wood on left side beneath the saddle bar indicate government inspection, additional inspector mark on the barrel. Standard features include: iron buttplate, iron patchbox, iron loading lever serves as a trigger guard, three iron bands and a nose cap, percussion nipple was designed to utilize a tape primer system that did not work very well and was usually disabled, but conventional cap served effectively, hinged Sharps sight, two strap hooks one on the butt and the other on the second band, rifling with six lands and grooves. The rifle was intended for infantry and marksmen, it was not configured with a saddle bar. Nose has conventional forward sight and is configured to take a socket bayonet. Research Center: Weapon2428-Breechloader-Sharps-Rifle-Model-1863 . Reference: Flayderman F5-025. Barrel length 30in. Serial number, C38815.

W0852 ### Breechloader, Sharps single shot percussion rifle, New Model 1863, iron patchbox, infantry model, configured for socket bayonet, .52cal. (sn# C38916) . Sharps rifle was a single shot percussion breechloader using paper cartridge. The Sharps series of rifles and carbines became the most important breechloaders utilized in the Civil War. The Model 1863, reflected only minor improvements over the Model 1859, mostly elimination of the patchbox. Serial numbers for the New Model 1863 generally run 65,000 to 140,000, some overlap with other models. The longer rifle was well suited for marksmen, Most Model 1863 Sharps rifles were issued to veteran infantry regiments organized late in the war. Manufactured by Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Co., Hartford, Connecticut. Mark on top of barrel, NEW MODEL 1863.. Mark on sight, R.S. LAWRENCE / PATENTED / FEB. 15TH 1859.. Mark forward of sight, SHARPS RIFLE / MANUFG. CO. / HARTFORD CONN. Notches on top of barrel and receiver for alignment. Mark on lock near center: C. SHARPS' PAT. / OCT. 5TH 1852. Mark upper lock: R. S. LAWRENCE' PAT. / APRIL 12TH 1859. Mark left side of receiver: C. SHARPS' PAT. / SEPT. 12TH 1848. Serial number on rear breech. Cartouches on wood on left side beneath the saddle bar indicate government inspection, additional inspector mark on the barrel. Standard features include: iron buttplate, iron patchbox, iron loading lever serves as a trigger guard, three iron bands and a nose cap, percussion nipple was designed to utilize a tape primer system that did not work very well and was usually disabled, but conventional cap served effectively, hinged Sharps sight, two strap hooks one on the butt and the other on the second band, rifling with six lands and grooves. The rifle was intended for infantry and marksmen, it was not configured with a saddle bar. Nose has conventional forward sight and is configured to take a socket bayonet. Research Center: Weapon2428-Breechloader-Sharps-Rifle-Model-1863 . Reference: Flayderman F5-025. Barrel length 30in. Serial number, C38916.

This is the "Ridgeway Civil War Research Center", a research tool for educational purposes only, and is provided at no cost to the reader. Some of the relics listed are retained in the author's collection, most reside in other collections and are not owned by the author. None of the items listed in this section are for sale, please refer to relicman.com sales listings for items offered for sale. This is a work in progress, I list items as I get to them, there are many patterns that are not listed yet, this list will be regularly updated as I get pictures and descriptions for more items. I will also correct mistakes, so if you see any please tell me. All items listed are believed to be authentic to the Civil War or as otherwise described. Any excavated relics have been recovered from private property with owners permission.This information is available for research purposes, pictures may be used by permission only.

All weapons listed on this webpage are strictly manufactured before 1898, and are considered unsafe for actual use. These are antique collectible weapons of the Civil War (most are pre 1865, unless I state otherwise) and actual firing of these weapons is not recommended for any purpose whatsoever! Because these are all "pre 1898" weapons, no licenses are required for ownership, but common sense and good judgment should be applied.

Most information on this page is from:
Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms......
John Thillman series, "Civil War Cavalry & Artillery Sabers...", or "Civil War Army Swords....".

Ridgeway Civil War Research Center, A virtual examination of artifacts of the American Civil War Weapons Research center, weapons, click: http://relicman.com/weapons/Weapon0000-Index.html. Research center, weapons, click: http://relicman.com/weapons/Weapon0000-Index.html.

and now a word from our sponsor.....

Civil War Relicman, Harry Ridgeway, Civil War weapons, Relicman sales catalog. Sale listings click: http://relicman.com/weapons/Relicman-Sales-Weapon0000.html. Sale listings click: http://relicman.com/weapons/Relicman-Sales-Weapon0000.html.