He then relocated to Mill Creek where he contracted with A.S. In 1848 Christian Sharps received his first patent for his falling breechblock design. However, he would return to his home state of New Jersey for a short time before re-emerging. Given Sharps previous experience, we could assume this initial trip to Mill Creek was to possibly search for employment. The Nippes family is well documented as having a devotion to building and adapting military arms for the duration of the their involvement with the mill. Albert was the son of Daniel Nippes, a well-known gun maker who had taken over the Mill Creek, PA manufacturing location upon his brother Abraham’s death in 1812. While in Mill Creek, Sharps had encountered Albert S.
After Hall’s death in 1841, Sharps left Virginia and not much was documented about him again until 1845 when he found his way to Mill Creek, PA just outside Philadelphia. He spent fifteen years learning the trade under the guidance of the very accomplished arms inventor John Hall. We will also include a short list of additional Sharps references at the end of this article for those who wish to further their own research.Ĭhristian Sharps first learned the basics of gun manufacturing while working as a machinist apprentice at the Harper’s Ferry Arsenal in Virginia. It can become confusing to try and make sense of it at times, so we read and re-read through some of what are hopefully the more reliable sources, and have compiled a rustic production period that should be fairly credible. Many articles regarding the production of the Sharps Rifles have bits of information that tend to contradict or even dismiss accounts of others. We will begin by taking a look at the erratic manufacturing period and discuss some of the more interesting narrative that surrounds these historic rifles. We will however, attempt to provide some helpful resources and information that will hopefully be deemed useful for the newer Sharps enthusiasts. For this reason we will attempt to avoid any technical discussion regarding loading or design, as there are surely those out there that are far more qualified to do so. There isn’t much that can be written about the mechanics of the Sharps Rifles that has not already been well detailed over the years. Known for their durability and long range accuracy, these falling breechblock rifles have established a rich legacy of Civil War attestations and complimentary western frontier folklore. It is not deactivated in any way and is being sold as a collectors piece only.For more than a century, gun enthusiasts have sought out the sturdy and reliable Sharps long guns. This antique and historic US carbine can be owned live without any form of license. 52 calibre, beginning in 1867 31,000 were converted to the then new 50-70 calibre and continued in military service. During the US Civill War this model was very popular with the cavalry of both the Union and Confederate armies being used in many of the most famous battles and skirmishes of the conflict. It has the correct patent and inspectors markings on the receiver and wood work.
#CIVIL WAR SHARPS RIFLE SERIAL NUMBERS SERIAL NUMBERS#
Serial numbers ran from 71235 to 99999 and then from C1 to C49528. This example is one of an estimated 60,000 produced during the US Civil War between 1863 to 1865. A fabulous condition and very rare US Civil War, Sharps "Saddle Ring" carbine, New Model 1863.