This nice .50 caliber percussion rifle is the 1863 New Model Sharps Infantry Rifle configuration. This .50 caliber Sharps rifle has a 30" tapered barrel, with turned raised ring at the breech, folding ladder rear sight on the barrel, and integral iron blade front sight. The stock is straight grain walnut, and the action, patchbox, and buttplate are nicely color cased hardened. This rifle has double set triggers and no lever catch, which was favored by Hiram Berdan, who commanded the Berdan Sharpshooters during the American Civil War. Some similar antique rifles were also issued to soldiers of the the 6th Veteran Volunteers. This rile was manufactured by Shiloh Sharps when located in Farmingdale, New York. Trigger reach is 13-3/4" for a todays average size shooter. Weight is 9.7 pounds.

This rifle includes:

• A leather sling (dismounted)
• A spare nipple and a well used original nipple
• Four loose pages by Terry Behm on rolling paper cartridges

The 30" tapered round barrel is .50 caliber. Roll your own paper cartridges, or load this rifle with loose powder after inserting a lubricated bullet. The tapered round barrel is marked .50 Cal Black Powder Only and Shiloh Products Inc. and 1863 New Model ahead of the breech. The right hand flat also has a wolf head stamp ahead of the breech. By putting the lock at half cock and lowering the breech block. You can easily see that this rifle has been well maintained, and the bore is bright.

The walnut stock has a deep reddish undertone and is finished to a satin sheen. The stock has some scattered marks from use and handling. The military carbine style buttplate, patchbox, lock, and action are color case hardened and show nice mottled blues, purples, and greys. Our top view shows the color cased action, and the long tang of the breech. The tang does not have any holes to mount a tang sight. The bottom view shows the color case hardening, in a rainbow of mottled colors, on the action. The inletting is fair to good, and the walnut stocks are well finished. The lever works very smoothly, and has a positive return. This rilfe does not have a lever retaining latch, which was a feature requested by Hirarm Berdan.

The action operates smoothly, and this big lock has a strong mainspring. The breech is fitted with a 5/16-24 threaded nipple for a musket cap. Order our nipple #MMS-I if you require a spare. The plate is shaped for a Laurence pellet primer and stamped Farmingdale New York and the tail of the lock plate is stamped Shiloh New Model 1863.

This U.S. made New Model 1863 Sharps Infantry Rifle is a very good example of this type of Civil War longarm. Order it for a ten day visual inspection. You will be delighted. Else if it does not fit you, return it in unfired condition for same-day refund. Postage is your only risk, when you order any one-of-a-kind gun from Track, whether new, used, or antique.