^Lot 31 Civil War Sharps New Model 1863 Cavalry Carbine

Civil War Sharps New Model 1863 Cavalry Carbine, Factory Altered to Metallic Cartridge, #C,178 (#100178), .50-70 CF cal., blued 22'' barrel with integral block-blade front and Lawrence patent sliding-leaf rear sights marked ''New Model 1863'' ahead of breech and ''10'' (?) at left below; case hardened ''Straight Breech'' receiver is marked ''C. Sharps Pat./Sept. 12th, 1848'' and fitted with a sling bar and ring on left side, and marked ''C. Sharps' Pat./Oct. 16th, 1852'' behind ''R.S. Lawrence Pat./April 12th, 1859'' on right; serpentine operating lever opens the dropping-block action for cartridge loading and cleaning, and automatic ejection; steel single spring-retained barrel band, trigger, and carbine-style buttplate; oil-stained walnut forend and buttstock without patchbox. Mfg'd ca. 1859-66; converted in 1867 and after. Condition is very good, barrel being a smooth bluish-brown, receiver with case colors ahead of hammer and the balance darkened and silvered; sling ring stock mounting with scratched ''WHS'' initials. Factory-replaced buttstock is smooth and sound with minor use marks, and a sharp ''DFC'' (David F. Clark) inspector's cartouche within a ribbon on left side and another (mostly illegible) above sling ring; the original forearm is smooth with a few dings and two minor losses. Sharps markings on barrel and on left receiver were mostly removed at time of alteration. Action functions smoothly; original 6-groove bore is bright with defined rifling. Est.: $1,800-$2,400. (Antique)