Sharps New Model 1865 Carbine
Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company · Carbine · Discontinued · 1865
Also known as: Sharps Model 1865 Carbine, New Model 1865 Sharps Carbine
Overview
The Sharps New Model 1865 Carbine is a single-shot, breech-loading percussion carbine built on Christian Sharps' falling-block action. Chambered for the .52 caliber linen or paper cartridge ignited by the Sharps pellet primer system or an ordinary percussion cap, it was the last of the Civil War-era percussion Sharps carbines. Nearly identical to the New Model 1859 and 1863 that preceded it, the 1865 differed mainly in barrel markings and the omission of the buttstock patchbox. Its 22-inch barrel, vertical sliding breech block and saddle ring made it a fast-loading, hard-hitting cavalry arm.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3860 g (136.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 990 mm (38.98") |
| Barrel Length | 559 mm (22.01") |
| Action Type | Falling Block |
| Firing Mechanism | Percussion |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Magazine Type | None |
| Muzzle Velocity | 380 m/s (1247 fps) |
| Effective Range | 180 m (197 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 550 m (601 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 9 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .52 Caliber Percussion · primary — also known as .52 caliber, .52 Sharps, .52 Sharps Paper Cartridge
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot Breech Loading
- Features: Vertical Sliding Breech Block, Sharps Pellet Primer, Percussion Cap Capable, Saddle Ring Bar, Ladder Rear Sight
Service history
Operators
- United States Army · adopted 1865
Conflicts
- American Civil War (1861-1865)
- American Indian Wars (1865-1891)
Production
Estimated total produced: 5,000 · Production years: 1865-1866
Roughly 5,000 New Model 1865 carbines were made; part of the nearly 90,000 Sharps carbines delivered to the U.S. government during and just after the Civil War.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Christian Sharps
Discontinued: 1866
Notes
The New Model 1865 arrived at the very end of the American Civil War; roughly 5,000 were produced before manufacture ceased. Large numbers of surviving percussion Sharps carbines were later converted to fire metallic .50-70 cartridges.
Background
Christian Sharps had by this time been reduced to a 'Technical Advisor' role at the company bearing his name, collecting a one-dollar royalty on each arm built. The Sharps carbine's reputation for reliability and rapid breech-loading fire earned the design the enduring nickname 'Old Reliable.'