SCARCE MODEL 1870 SPRINGFIELD / SHARPS CARTRIDGE CONVERSION RIFLE.

inv# 01-19377

Cal. 50-70. S# C36948.

Bbl. 35″ Springfield. 52″ Overall. S# on bbl. omitting the “C” found on left side near breech. Frame & action made from Model 1863 New Model percussion rifles. Original Sharps lock & frame still have Sharps patent information, along w/ the original percussion S# on upper tang. Buttstock crafted at Springfield Armory utilizing musket buttplate w/ US surcharge. Single inspector’s oval cartouche “ESA” (Erskin A. Allen). Sm. sub inspector marks found on most every metal piece. Most of these rifles saw hard service during the Indian war, but this survivor retains much of its original finish. Conversion carbines are common, conversion rifles are very scarce & rarely offered.