Available in this lot for auction is an unaltered, very early Civil War Sharps New Model 1859 .52 Caliber Percussion Saddle Ring Carbine, serial number 59966. One of the most popular and successful of the cavalry carbines was the Sharps breech loader. Capable of firing a grooved bullet in a combustible black powder loaded paper cartridge or single loaded with lead slug with loose powder behind and ignited by a percussion cap, the Sharps gained a rapid reputation as a reliable, accurate, powerful and fast firing weapon. Troops armed with single shot muzzle loading muskets were no match for the new breech loaders designed by Christian Sharps. After the Civil War many of these battle proven weapons went to the western frontier. Most of the New Model Sharps rifles and carbines were later converted to fire the standard .50-70 metallic cartridge and reissued for Indian War use. Hence, those in original and unaltered percussion ignition from the Civil War are very scarce and desirable arms on the antique collector market today. This example shows heavy Civil War usage, yet retains a clear readable
Condition
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