I just picked up an as new original Sharps saddle ring carbine in 50/70. He says he never shot it. It is an 1863 and was converted to metallic cartridge in 1870-something. Can anyone tell me about it? Blueing is 98% as is the wood. He bought it and hung it up as a museum piece. Is ammo available or is it a reloading only rifle.
Thanks for any help

Rick, great find...a "Big Fifty"! I believe Buffalo Arms makes ammunition for it, probably with black powder. Yes, I just checked, $61/box of 20 if you don't want to "roll your own".

http://www.buffaloarms.com/50_...088.aspx?PROD=158088

Rick, here's a place that makes 50-70 ammunition using the 348 Win case, cheaper than Buffalo Arms.

http://gadcustomcartridges.com/

The Texas Rangers were armed, to some extent, with this model. Talk to Hogkiller here. His has been in his Texas family since about new.

Rich

Good information and a hearty thanks gents. I know the gent that bought it and if he says he never shot it, he didn't. I told him that I would try and find ammo to shoot something with. I'll try and find time to take and post pictures of this beauty. I first saw it 20 years ago, hanging on the wall and knew then that I wanted it. I probably will try and find loading information for it and supplies but then again, I may buy a couple of boxes of ammo and just shoot it now and again.

Rick, after I put out some "feelers" yesterday, a guy contacted me that has 3 boxes and some loose rounds of original 50-70 Sharps military ammunition. The boxes are paper, and tied with a string...pretty cool. I wouldn't shoot them, but they may look neat sitting next to the rifle on display. I'll see what he wants for them.

Probably the other arm and half of one leg. I checked on the websites that were listed and none of them had any ammo but I'm probably not gonna shoot it anyway. The gent I bought it from had never fired it. Imagine that.

Rick - please post a few photos of your new rifle when you get a chance.

I will Admiral. Try to get that done this afternoon. I'm not sure it is a 50 cal though. A .510 CEB doesn't touch any piece or part of the barrel when you slip it inside the muzzle end. When I bought it from this gent(who has developed Alzheimers), that is what he said it was but I believe I will have to try and find Serial numbers and compare. I may have a 52 cal.

pago. I owned one some years back like what you described and after much research had determined it to have been a model 1859 that was converted from percussion to cartridge for Navy use and re-designated a model 1868. I bought it at an auction where the bullets sold for $10 a piece and the box (marked .50-70) went for $35. Sorry that I don't recall the barrel length. But, I'm still kicking myself for letting it go for $1500. At the time it was a fair price. It (too) appeared unfired, it had some green snot in the barrel yet cleaned up nicely. The bluing was close to 80% and some of the case color was still there. The value of the rifle has gone up at least 3-fold ever since and I'd expect ammo as well. As new you have a museum piece. Nice/lucky clip. Congrats. Sorry, no additional info on cartridge availability. Ray

This rifle was hanging in a museum. and, other than a couple of minor wood dings, is just about as pristine as they come. I'll eventually figure it out (Ihope)

Okay, gents. I believe I am in possession of a .52 caliber Sharps. I used a caliper and the inside bore measurement goes from .518-.522. I'll see if I can get the pics to post.

That's a real beauty Rick - way to go!

Thank you sir! I've wanted this rifle ever since I laid eyes on it and when it came available, I bought it.
Now you need to post pics of your new shotgun!

Pagosa....

Careful there appears to be a buffalo loose in your house! And it looks like he's got his eyes on your new rifle..

He doesn't get around very fast any more. It would have been neat to take the buff with the Sharps!

I watched that "Pawn Stars" show out in Vegas, or whatever the name of the show is. A guy brings in a Sharps just like this one, same caliber as I recall. He wanted $35,000 for it. They offered him $15,000 IIRC. Didn't realize these were going for that kinda price.

That would be more than acceptable, it's way more than I gave for it.

Rick, if it's .52 caliber, I guess the 50-70 ammunition is out. Didn't the 52's use paper, wrapped loads?

Jon,
No more than I know about these, I couldn't tell you. Bears a lot more investigation on my part. I do believe they did but that is a supposition on my part.

Bluebook says some of the paper cartridge .52 models that were converted starting 1867 (new model 1863) retained the original barrel if in good condition and it was a six groove, worth a slight premium. Re-lined .50-70's were 3 groove.

CB, you know your stuff....were you around then? :-)

Good one. Seriously I thought it was a '59 conversion in 1868. Then the .52 caliber threw that out the window. Thank ye oh master. We are not worthy.