Weapons of the Civil War Cavalry: The Sharps Carbine
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- Head and shoulders above any other carbine used during the American Civil War, the Sharps Carbine was a reliable weapon and accurate one when used in the hands of trained soldiers. This video quickly goes over the back story and the operation of this beloved firearm.
I inherited a 1859 from my great uncle when I was 10. Still have it. Never shot it. Great info on this video. Thanks!
Shoot the damn thing!
Lucky bastard
3:26 I'm not being critical, as I understand you just misspoke.
But I'm enjoying the mental image of John Brown and his 20 men, each carrying 15 sharps rifles, showing up at Harper's Ferry to capture the entire U.S. Army.
It's like in a first person shoot a video game, where you're able to carry a shotgun, a colt 45, an mp5, a rocket launched with 5 rounds, and an M4, and a
COLT python, and a Dillon aero mini gun, But because it's a first person shooter the logic for the player to carry them doesn't need to be shown
Very interesting video. My g-g-grandfather was in the 19th Pennsylvania Cavalry. They were armed with Sharps New Model 63 and Starr DA revolvers.
My GGGrandfather volunteered for three terms in the Cavalry during the Civil War. My Grandfather was supposed to get his sword, metals, papers etc. my GGGrandfather died in 1912. My Grabdfather never received those items as someone made sure to take them after his death. I know he was in the battle of Antietam but three different terms it’s hard to trace. On his head stone, his name Amos Rineer, he was in Co. G 21st. Regt. Pa. Calv. I often wondered what he was issued. Kind Thanks for this Great Video! DaveyJO in Pennsylvania
The Sharps carbine was a true soldiers weapon that did remain very popular even after the official adoption of the Spencer. It's noteworthy that Sharps were widely used by both sides due to their simplicity and reliability.
Was is a standard infantry gun or was it mainly for the Calvary?
@@ryanklinger8562 later
Mainly cavalry but 2 Sharpshooter regiments used both the standard m1859 rifles and special set trigger models. As the war progressed infantry regiments would see organic sharpshooter and skirmisher squads and platoons armed with the rifle. Individual soldiers would also buy them via mail order.
"He [Henry W. Beecher] believed that the Sharps Rifle was a truly moral agency, and that there was more moral power in one of those instruments, so far as the slaveholders of Kansas were concerned, than in a hundred Bibles. You might just as well. . . read the Bible to Buffaloes as to those fellows who follow Atchison and Stringfellow; but they have a supreme respect for the logic that is embodied in Sharp’s rifle." - New York Tribune - February 8, 1856. Keep the videos coming.
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@Hugo Jayden Instablaster =)
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I have one of those Sharps carbines. It started as a paper cartridge rifle and at some point was converted to .50-70 brass cartridge. The serial number is 1279 so I think it was manufactured in the mid 1850s. It is still in working and shootable order. I do not have brass for it however or I'd load some of my homemade black powder in it and use it.
I love it. Finally a video on a rifle that I have.
Awesome weapons used by both sides. Until 1864, when regular units had switched to Spencer's, the Sharps was still widely carried. Even to the end, the Sharps was very popular for being very rugged, very effective and for being breechloaders.
Consider the post 1865 use of the Sharps carbine on the 19th century Western Frontier(1850-1890 . Example: The Modoc Indian War of 1872-1873. This occurred in the Lava Beds at south end of Tule Lake. Today it's the Lava Beds National Monument which straddles the Modoc/Sikiyou County line
in North-eastern California. During this six month conflict the Model 1868 .50-70 Sharps carbine, a post Civil War (1861-1865) era conversion of the Models 1859, 1863, and 1865 "percussion" Sharps carbine, saw extensive use by U.S. Army/Cavalry troops. Also, the Model 1868 "Allin" conversion Trapdoor Springfield also chambered in .50-70. The latter was a conversion of the earlier Civil War 1863 .58 caliber Springfield rifle-musket, a single shot muzzle loader. Remember this is almost a decade following the end of the Civil War in 1865. Afterwards wagon train emigrants settled the West for homesteading, farming, ranching, and even perhaps trapping and mining. Many of these emigrants utilized, owned, and carried Civil War surplus firearms. Reason: Simple economics. A Winchester Model 1866 for example might cost say $40.00 vs.
say $7.00 for a Civil War Spencer, or even a Sharps carbine. 1873 was also a year of economic panic and depression. Fascinating history! ----Jim Farmer Merrill, Oregon (Klamath County)
On the net: The Cascade Civil War Society at www.ccws.org
I have a Sharp’s carbine and would love to learn more history on it. You mentioned in the video that carbines can be tracked down to some regiments with the serial number. How would someone do that? Any direction on where to start looking?
There is an app (Apple) called "Military Arms Database" that allows you to look up serial numbers. However, the chances are not likely that they have your serial number. Less than 1% of all the sharps used in the war are listed in the database. Some regiments kept great track of serial numbers while others didn't keep track at all. I hope this helps!
I bought a Smith Carbine. I like making cartridges at home, then just inserting them into the chamber at the range. I can buy plastic or brass cases and reuse them.
Always great videos. Both the 1859 and 1863 carbines were very popular. Even after the Spencer came into service, the Sharps continued with both sides. Simple and reliable, they were true soldiers weapons. One reason for the popularity of the Spencer was the metallic cartridges.
Great video as always!
I have seen an end of year 1864 ordinance report from the 1st NC Cavalry (no idea why I didn't make a copy). 20,000 rounds Sharps ammunition vs 5,000 rounds all others (.58, Smith, Spencer).
Never mind I fixed it myself, did some work on the tumbler . Though it's not hair trigger, it is about half what it was, which is except able .
The sharp was a great rifle during the war of 1861 and also the Spencer. These two guns lead the way for the level rifle which came out in 1870.
My great great grandfather was a Union officer and I own his 56 caliber Sharp's carbine and his dress saber plus part of his uniform
I am fascinated by all of the powder granules that are brought up by the lifted block when the paper/linen cartridge is broken open by such action. This won't preclude me from purchasing a 59/63 Sharps by any means, yet causes me to appreciate the Smith carbine for its cartridge design where I don't lose powder and needn't make sure to clear the exposed excess powder-paper off the block top so as not to get face flashed, for I'm not 'weird' and like that kind of effect. Superb video and has sold me on a 1859 Sharps carbine. Your knowledge and presentation is first-rate and definitely informative, to the point. Go good! - kidhammer
he does not understand how to make the cartridges. the style shown at 0:54 should be made neat. the cartridges I make in that style fit flush with breech. no powder lost, which is point.
I love my Sharps Rifle. Its a fantastic weapon. Never tried the carbine...
Oh for those who would know my great great grandfather gun was a 1862. Did this gun considered a 1863 model? I think it does! Please let me know! TU
Chris, by any chance do you have a serial number and/or photos? Feel free to send them to us at sdacus@11thovc.com
I love your videos!
My first civil war carbine was a Ballard in 56/55. Issued to the 12th Ohio Cavalry in 1891. Still regret having to get rid of it as I had the name of the person who carried it. Before I sold it I fired it with those cases primed with a 22 blank. It finished uphere in NZ when the ex soldier emige=ated here
*LIKED* another informative video OVC including the live fire .. see you in the field or around the camp fire.
Wasn't the linen ctg supposed to butt up to the breech face, when fully inserted? The flat base Ctgs superseded the paper tailed ctg, that were cut off as the breech was closed. Inconsistencies in velocity as well as the spillage of powder were the main reason, for this. For your Troopers using .52 cal carbines with .523" (Approx) grooves, what bullet are you using and what is the source? Thanks.
I love your videos.
The date on mine is 1852 but has been converted to a 50/70 brass cartridge, haven't fired it yet as i just pickup some cartridges need to get a set of dies to reload them 😊😊
I was hoping you would take the thing apart and show us how it works, but I guess re-enactors don't need that much information. Good video.
Beaguins, we actually plan to do just that but try to keep our videos as short as possible. When we made the first rough draft of the script, our video was more than 2 hours long...on just the '59 Sharps Carbine! Too much to do and too little time! Thanks for watching.
Two hours long? Jiminy cricket!
Love this channel.... though it drives me nuts that a CAValryman pronounces it CALvary.
It's pronounced CAValry, not CALvary. CAValry are mounted soldiers. CALvary is a hill where Jesus was crucified. Other than that, I absolutely love your videos.
Its a different accent
Listen to him again and pay attention, he is clearly saying it correctly but he may be saying it too fast for your hearing.
@@mrbrainbob5320 No, it's called illiteracy. An accent doesn't change the order of the letters in a word.
@@INeverMetAGunIDidntLike No, I've listened to it eight times now. He's clearly saying Calvary.
@@twistedpixel2558 nah you are just being dramatic
The Sharps is one of the most accurate rifles ive ever shot, if not *the* most accurate rifle ive ever shot.
Made right here in Hartford, Ct. The plant stood on Capitol Avenue until 1966.
Calvary is where Christ hung on the cross, the cavalry is not that place.
You didn't always mispronounce that but a lot of the time you did.
What is the best sharps replica to buy?
I have a 1853 model sharps I haven't shot it yet though it was a 45/70 but found out it is a 50-70 ,the Palit feed is disconnected and made into a center fire haven't been able to find any 50-70 ammo,,any idea??
You'll have to buy the brass and load you own.
Loved the video!!!!
Great! 🎬📸🔝
First the new style cartridge made by Sharps for the new rifle and carbines were designed with goldbeater's skin base so the back of the cartridge was not cut off to fire the cartridge. One of the reasons you find the cone in the beach block extending almost all the way to the beach to direct the cap explosion to the base of the cartridge to blow through the skin and ignite the power. Also the gas check used on 1859 to 1865 was of steel and tapered on the inside and designed to expand out at the base to seal in the block while being forced out and against the barrel to seal there. This is not how most if not all the new repo sharps are made they have some kind of sliding tube in the rear of the barrel that is some how suppose to slide back and seal. I can tell you that Shilo and Garrett were the only ones who copied the original some of the early Italian Sharps could be made to work this way kind of but have not seen any of the new ones. Trust me there is a big difference between the two in operation. I would never trade my Shilo Rifle for any other. Also the big difference between the New Model 1859 and 1863 besides the stamping was the increased size of the clean out screw in the breach block, I suspect there must have been complaints about getting that screw out after use so they increased the size of the head on the 1863.
Love what you're doing!!!!!
I want a Sharps Carbine. Awesome arm. Thank you
I have a C.Sharpes that's has markings on it Oct 5 1852 ser.no. C11772 the bore is mic.out at about 50 can you tell me when it was made, thanks for any help you can give me
Any recommendations on where to get one?
My Sharps carbine will still shoot a 2" group at 100y with careful hand loads. I do love that rifle !
That is so nice to read about any blackpowder rifle. Does yours have the primer system?
@@sashasoule4585 My carbine is a post war conversion to 50-70 and as such has the remnants is the original priming system. The bore measures 0.520" and is the post war three land liner type. It's still remarkably accurate with a carefully cast bullet . FYI my serial # is 6620X
The numbers prove one thing, the incompetence of army ordnance procurement of that time. If I'd been issued a breechloader sharps carbine, I'd have hunted up a spencer and ditched the sharps in a second.
I'm wearing headphones, I was turnin around to see where those godamn horses were comin from!!
What happened to the Henry?
I wonder if back then it was also easier for a soldier to learn to shoot than to button his coat correctly...
I've been lucky enough to handle the Spencer Carbine carried by our ancestor- a Union cavalry lieutenant.
Great LARP video!
I use to have a 1859 sharp carbine sold it after 5 years in the cavalry doing civil war and I needed the money at the time to fence in my pasture for my horse brought it for 700.00 sold it for 800.00 and I am looking getting back in to cavalry as a dismounted but I am shock at what they cost online 1,200 or more the price as a 44-40 Henry rifle
How would’ve the cavalry carried their sharps. Loaded without a cap? With a cap? Unloaded?
They didn't have a cap like you are imagining. The cap on them was a disc and shot out of an opening as the trigger was pulled. Hopefully the cap was on the nipple when the hammer got there. If it wasn't they just cock it again and pull the trigger again. The caps were preloaded on top of a spring device that pushed them up so they could be thrown to the nipple. It's hard to tell by looking at my Sharps how many primers could be pre loaded.
@@russellkeeling4387 yes that’s the sharps pellet priming system. They could also use standard musket caps in an emergency and seeing as how in the field the pellet primer proved less then reliable they were mostly used with standard issue musket caps. That’s why I’m asking about that
I only looked up the history to hear jokes being made about true grit on LaBeef’s character
I have a Spencer Carbine from 17th Indiana Hatchet brigade.
Would you need to buy a kit to make the paper cartridges?
The disc primers would be a problem to acquire I would imagine.
Brass cap model. Does NOBODY use tMaynard tape primers. ?????
"The Sharps Carbine is a weapon of uncanny power and precision."
Cool.
7:50 either the name is wrong or the regiment is wrong. Lt Col. Collvill is from the Minnesota 1st. Lived across the street from his grave and monument in Cannon Falls, MN.
5:20 Does it really shear off that much of the cartridge? It seems very wasteful of powder.
By the start of the war, the cartridges were quite flush fitting, meaning there was little if any powder lost. Prior to the war, older cartridges often did lose some powder
I read that some Sharps leaked enough gas to ignite a linen handkerchief placed over the mechanism. Is that an exaggeration or a reasonable description?
I am not sure about the new models but I am sure that could have been possible on the early Sharps it wasn't until 1859 that they had a good gas check and with the new style cartridges that did not have to be cut off there was no powder spillage like the early ones.
I ve read that too.depending how ti ght block fit the mortise it could be a lot or little.they did use shims later
I'm pretty sure that's true.
Where does the Smith fit in?
Can you use pyrodex in the Sharps or do you have to use black powder for better ignition ?
Pyrodex works just fine. Its superior to traditional black powder in every way.
Never had a Sharps myself & wondered how pyrodex did because of the longer distance the spark had to travel as opposed to the Hawken style guns I’m used to . Thank you for your help 👍
Good stuff as always.
Great to see the live fire. Even reproductions are made to be fired.
His jacket isn't buttoned properly !
Any advice on fixing a really hard trigger pull on a IAB 1863 Sharps
Nice
cool, what would be a neat thing to do, a shoot out between the sharps and the 1848 needle rifle
Gotta say, that's alot of powder lost as the breech was closed.
In terms of accuracy, what's the best repro? Pedersoli I'm thinking?
The Pedersoli is great, but the Shiloh Sharps 1863 carbine is the best you can buy. Add the patchbox as a custom option, and it is perfect for an 1859 repro minus the integral primer setup of the original.
I wonder why the US didn't adopt the Sharps Rifle as a standard infantry rifle. The Confederacy obviously couldn't afford it, but the Union probably could have.
Robert Heinlein said "Anytime a question starts with "Why don't they", the answer is always MONEY. I believe the Sharps cost about three times the Springfield muzzle loader rifled musket.
Great video and great info, even though you buttoned your coat crooked, I noticed because I do it all the time. But hey, in heat heat of battle in the field? I mean crooked buttoning confuses the enemy, right? Seriously, Kind Thanks and no, flashing in my face? No thanks! Although I may be weird in other avenues. I’ve subscribed indeed! Many Blessings and ride on! DaveyJO in Pennsylvania
Dinnit they make one with a tube mag?
Spencer not Sharps
His jacket was miss buttoned.
does this one have a coffee grinder?
I think some people might mistake a powder grinder as a coffee grinder. Militaries of old did not usually carry around a bunch of granulated black powder. The powder was stored and carried in puk form and was ground as needed before battles.
The best shot in every unit would win a sharps that why today we still call the best shots are call sharpshoot.
How many times you going to repeat yourself?
I know it was addressed in the comments but "calvary" and "cavalry" are 2 different things
"Calvary" is the open representation of the crucifixion of Jesus
"Cavalry" were soldiers who fought on horseback
I have one with John Wayne signature on it
Because the Henry cost to much, like later. Winchester made a military mod 1868,chambered in 45/70 ,with full handguard and bayonet lug,Which are worth big bucks now.Instead they bought the CHEAP Springfield trap door, a piece of crap. But at least got rid of the underpowered spencer. Still better that commiting suicide reloading a muzzleloader.To bad the 7th cav didn't have the Winchesters at little big horn. War is very, very expensive!
Wouldn’t the paper get lodged in the breach?
Ideally the paper would be nitrated ensuring an almost complete clean burn. Even without nitration, enough of it would burn away as to not cause significant fouling until many cartridges have been fired. Paper cartridges also have a lot more "give" than brass, so a little crud in the chamber won't put it out of action.
Did infantry use sharps carbines
i dont know if i should take the word of someone that cant button their jacket right lol.
make a video about the 11th ohio cavalry history
LOL! Agreed! We could go on "forever" on our unit's namesake history. Ironic how our organization's name is "11th OVC" and we haven't done any informational videos on the actual history of our unit! Maybe one of these days!
That would be a good one its nice reading history but its all the better watching it on UA-cam
Your jacket is mis -buttoned.
Look at some photos of civil war soldiers.a lot of them wore them that way.
I like the hat
" A flash in the pan"
^The history part was great! However, as a veteran and retired English teacher ( Take this as a teaching moment) I have to say...
you kept saying CALvery not CAValry. CAValry are mounted soldiers. CALvary is where Jesus was crucified. I was 1st CAV!
um this guy repatedly mis pronounces CAV alry as calvery...lmfao
Staying up late to
Lol
Might want to take a little more time getting dressed. You look better when your tunic is buttoned correctly. Nice video.
LOL! Agreed! We will be sure to tell him that.
He should end the videos with the regimental motto.
Maybe he did?
i just got a shiloh sharps for $600.00
Toss me a Henry Repeater and I will purely embarrass anyone stuck with a Sharps. They can have their 7. I'll take my 16 and I will shoot all week :)
Yes you could but you have to remember the Henry was a rimfire that had a very limited range. You could shoot all day and never reach the enemy with a bullet.
Please don" call the CAValry the CALvary!
Why not just say “cavalry” instead of “calvary?” Ugh
And say carbine not carbene, you yanks talk crap english
Too repetitive. Need to do a better job being laconic
Spencer was better
His shirt isn't buttoned correctly. Sloppy soldier
Also mispronounced cavalry
Brother I'll forgive and forget that your a YANK! Excellent video. 1 favor though I ask the same question that united with Britain asked where did the Smith carbine come in? Don't skip it just because it was a Rebel Gun. LOL
You need to slow down your dictation or get some speech therapy
You need to take a break.you don t have be a prick every day.