Sharps 1863 To 1874 Conversion Plus It Also

In the hands of the U.S.

Cavalry and buffalo hunters, Sharps Model 1874.50-70 carbines are simply romantic firearms.

The four-volume study of Sharps Firearms by Roy Marcot and Ron Paxton, recently released by Northwood Heritage Press, brings forth more data and images of Sharps firearms and their use than any references weve ever had access to before.

The work simply breathes new life into the legends of the Sharps big-bore single-shots.

Theyre handy, powerful, attractive and a lot more affordable than Sharps rifle models.

Sharps 1863 To 1874 Conversion Plus It Also

You can stuff your pocket with a few.50-70 rounds, stroll out the back door and go hunting plus it also has a fascinating history.

In terms of total wartime production, the big five were the Spencer (94,196 produced), Sharps (80,512), Burnside (55,567), Smith (30,062) and Starr (25,603).

As a group, the Union carbines of the Civil War were the most attractive shoulder arms of the conflict.

Light, short, fast firing and accurate, the breechloading cavalry carbines signaled the coming end of the single-shot muzzleloader era.

The challenge facing the Ordnance Department was to select the next generation of firearms for the infantry and cavalry and, being financially strapped after the cessation of hostilities, to do it at the least cost.

The answer was to convene a Board to test and evaluate possible firearm options.

Sharps was barely hanging on, which begs the obvious question why didnt Sharps put a metallic cartridge model of their own into production It seems they didnt have the capital to do it, but the problem was about to change.

Fortunately, one of the outstanding qualities of the Sharps action design was its ability to handle powerful cartridges.

Richard Lawrence at Sharps reported almost two-thirds of the percussion models delivered to the factory exceeded tolerance so the oversize barrels were removed at Sharps and sent to the Springfield Armory for relining.

The carbines were immediately sent to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments in the West, replacing their Spencer repeating rimfire carbines.

Until replaced by the Model 1873 carbine in.45-70, the big Sharps was the primary arm of the U.S.

Cavalry during the early Indian Wars and its hearty Boom commanded the Plains.

Great Plains bullet, Starline brass, Federal 215 magnum primers and either 55 grains of Blackhorn powder or 9.5 grains of Trail Boss, my typical 3-shot groups at 50 yards range from 1.252.75.

I do find the short, coarse sight picture of the carbine a serious challenge for group shooting, yet the original carbine sights are graduated out to 800 yards.

On the other hand, strictly as a shooter, get the new replicas to enjoy the romance of the Sharps and the.50-70 cartridge without stretching the checking account.

Well into the last century, when my preferred carry guns were revolvers and I used them in local competitions, there were always spare rounds within easy reach.

An anonymous source has informed the International Associate Press Association famed television host and entrepreneur Martha Stewart has been secretly.

With onerous federal regulations looming on certain types of weapons, Colt Weston Inc.

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