December 14-17, 2021 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/14/2021
Sharps Model 1863 percussion breechloading carbine with 22" round barrel in .52 caliber with folding ladder carbine rear sight graduated up to 800 yards and blade front sight. 2 piece walnut stock and forearm with single barrel band, bar with saddle ring, and military buttplate. Cartouches include "E.A.W" on left of barrel as well as 2 cartouches underneath saddle ring bar. According to the Springfield Research records, this gun is listed by serial number as being issued to Company M, 3rd Massachusetts Cavalry and was issued specifically to Private Zachary Wiley. Wiley mustered in December 31st, 1864 and mustered out October September 28, 1865. During service, the regiment lost 5 officers and 101 enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 officers and 180 enlisted men by disease; they also saw action during Sheridan's Valley Campaign. This lot comes with the 3rd Massachusetts Cavalry's history as well as a CD with files of the records where this gun can be connected to Wiley as well as Zachary Wiley's pension and service records. CONDITION: Good, with virtually all of the original finishes turned to a speckled brown patina. Stock and forearm are very good as cleaned with scattered heavy handling marks throughout and "MHR" crudely carved in to right side of stock upside down. Mechanically fine. Bore is overall bright with abrasion near muzzle with crisp rifling. An exciting opportunity to own an identified Sharps 1863 carbine that saw Civil War use. TON