First Sharps Rifles for the Union

Three Sharps long guns were made in Hartford for the Union. Rarest was the rifle musket, a 36-inch barrel arm without patchbox measuring 53 inches overall, in the new Model 1859 series. The Rifle with 30inch barrel measured 47 inches overall, and the 22-inch barrel Carbine, about 39 inches. Early 1859 carbines have patchbox, butt plate, and band of brass; in the New Model 1859 series, casehardened iron was substituted. A brass patchbox combined with an iron buttplate or band does not seem to have appeared as factory issue. M1859 numbers (with the Sharps series, with some exceptions, starting in 1851 with “1”) range according to Smith’s records of numbers, 21788 to 31047. New Model 1859’s range 32833 to 73602. An overlap of numbers occurred in 1863 when that “New Model 1863” was introduced, the major distinction in manufacturing being the improved fillister head cleanout screw, the model stamping, and sight change; externally, the patchbox was usually omitted in the carbines following contract terms which will be mentioned later. New Model 1863 numbers have been observed as low as 71149, ranging up to 100,000. At this point the C series began, running from C,1 up to approximately C,49999—gun number C,50012 is recorded by Smith as being a “New Model 1866” metallic cartridge carbine. Gun number C,4 was sold in 1961 at a gun show near Chicago; it was a carbine, New Model 1863, without patchbox.
All Civil War Sharps arms were percussion cap, using a combustible cartridge of glazed linen. In the front of the breechblock was set a plate having a slight motion front to back under the influence of gas pressure. The top edge, on closing the breech, sheared off the cartridge end to expose the powder. Adjusted properly, the gas pressure would slide the plate forward against the breech of the barrel, making (it was hoped) a gastight seal. More or less gas did escape from the Sharps breech, but not until it had been much used, did this become serious.
In the author’s collection is a Sharps 30-inch New Model 1863 rifle C,35515, which has suffered an “explosion” accident that could occur to Sharps guns. In the event of a misfire, with the breech being dropped to unload, some of the powder inside the gas-seal recess of the breechblock will be dropped forward into the

Extremely rare M1859 Musket with 36" barrel was sometimes issued to artillery, when adapted for taking sword bayonet. Shown is same model gun in redoubt of Union heavy artillery before the battle of Fair Oaks.

the merits of the Sharps guns. Though Colt in his controversial way had once urged his agent in the west (James D. Alden in Arizona) to report all the accidents that happened with the Burnside and Sharps guns, calling them “humbug arms,” the Army buying agents were less biased. They bought the Sharps when and where offered.
General Ben Butler upon taking command in Baltimore immediately purchased 200 New Model 1859 rifles adapted to sword bayonet, with stud soldered beneath the muzzle for the bayonet handle clip. These were bought from C. C. Bean of New York by contract of 7 June, Bean to deliver the guns on July 1, complete with 110 saber bayonets, balance of 90 saber bayonets to be furnished; terms, complete with equipments (as Palmer described for carbines), $40.45 each rifle, $5 for saber bayonet and $3 for “a steel bayonet, not the sabre pattern, but of the latest improved pattern . . . There being in all 590 of both kinds of bayonets.”
For a lawyer, Ben Butler drew up a cloudy contract.
stock mortise surrounding the block spring, underneath the barrel. This can build up and if a trace of hot gas escapes downwards to ignite this, the wood of the stock at that point will be blown out. On C,35515 cited, wood up to the stock screw escutcheon is popped out, and the escutcheon and screw missing as if blown out.
The excitement of Bull Run caused many changes in Northern plans. Refusing to fight with cornstalks, General Ripley wired President Palmer at Sharps in Hartford, on June 25, 1861, “For what price will you make 10,000 Sharpe’s (sic) carbines and how fast can you deliver them?” Palmer replied instantly, “$30 and ten months.” On June 29 and July 4 following, Ripley then ordered 3,000 and 3,000 carbines, 6,000 total, to be delivered in “the shortest time possible.” As formal as Ripley was to become in later months, Palmer replied:
Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company
Hartford, July 9, 1861 Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your order for six thousand carbines, and I forward a sample arm for your approval, to be stamped and returned here as a model for the sub-inspection.
It is our understanding that each arm is accompanied by one thong, one brush, one cone wrench and screw driver, one cartridge stick, 1 extra cone, one extra primer spring, and one ball mould to every five arms—packed in cases of ten. Price of arms and appendages as above, thirty dollars each; ditto of arms chests, two dollars and fifty cents each at our armory . . .
Respectfully &c
J. C. Palmer, President.
General J. W. Ripley Chief of Ordnance
By March 8, 1862, starting with 300 carbines delivered September 13, 1861, Palmer had turned in 8,800 accepted carbines. Deliveries were so much according to schedule and quality so high, that Ripley named Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company in his letter of March 15, 1862, asking that such arms as might be presented for inspection by them during the following three months, under existing orders, be accepted if of satisfactory inspection quality. Secretary Stanton approved.
Palmer did not have to come to Washington to defend himself against Holt and Owen in their relentless cutting of contract totals, for Ripley was quite sold on

Regular New Model rifles either 1859 or 1863 type are externally almost identical but have minor lock and sight differences not affecting interchangeability of major components. Socket bayonet model was preferred by the Berdan and Post Sharpshooter regiments.

Regular New Model rifles either 1859 or 1863 type are externally almost identical but have minor lock and sight differences not affecting interchangeability of major components. Socket bayonet model was preferred by the Berdan and Post Sharpshooter regiments.
We are not certain if he took all of Bean’s 500 Sharps rifles, which were lying then at Fortress Monroe, and therefore wanted 200 with saber bayonets but if the saber bayonets were not suitable he wanted to make sure he had also 500 bayonets of socket type for all the rifles, or if he wanted 90 more saber bayonets, and for some purpose as yet undetermined, desired 500 additional “steel bayonets, not of the sabre pattern.” On July 13, Bean is listed as delivering the 110 rifles “with swords” under this order of Ben Butler’s. He also sold to New York buyers, possibly Major Hagner or Silas Crispin, 100 Sharps carbines.
Palmer sold directly to the United States 100 sword bayonet rifles on September 17. Tiffany & Company sold only 5 on September 23, and Ben Kittredge scoured the Warehouses of Cincinnati to deliver 816 on November 8, 1861, at the “all-heart” price of $50 each. Orison Blunt, whose whole desire was to build noninterchangeable but serviceable Enfields for the Union fast, was able to sell but three guns for the cause of the Republic; three interchangeable machine-made Sharps carbines, at $30 each, bought in New York on December 13, 1861.
Bean ultimately delivered 100 carbines at $30 on June 11 together with “109 long range rifles with bayonets,” one rifle having been taken as the inspection sample, we suppose, at the signing of the purchase contract. On March 10, 1862, he was able to deliver the balance of 288 Sharps rifles and appendages, but no bayonets, to Butler. There they joined the famous Duryea’s Zouaves regiment stationed on Federal Hill covering Baltimore. Colonel G. K. Warren, commanding, on October 15, 1861, had been sent 25 saber bayonets by Palmer. The long, wicked swords must have inspired a fearful respect for the police authority Six-cavity Sharps rifle or carbine mould cast .52 cal. conical bullets but user had to trim excess lead off bases.
of General Nathaniel Banks’ “U. S. Police” force which supplanted the suspected secessionists of the regular Baltimore Police Department. An additional 150 saber bayonets were ordered sent to Washington Arsenal on December 7, presumably for rifles there.
The 6,000 carbines Palmer was making were inspected in an unusual fashion, for contract arms. They were not inspected in detail, but only after final assembly. Palmer was instructed (July 4, 1861) to have them assembled, “observing strictly all the government regulations in regard to proof, testing and gauging, and passing nothing which is not of standard quality in all respects. Report as soon as the arms . . . are ready for inspection, and an officer will be sent to inspect them
This should refer to a new Model 1859 carbine without detailed inspectors’ marks under the finishing on small parts, but with the stock “cartouche” of the chief Army inspector, possibly Captain Robert S. LaMott (RSL). At least 6,000 carbines may be indicated in this inspection variation. But Major R. H. K. Whiteley (RHKW) was referred to in Ripley’s “full steam ahead order” of December 21, 1861. Ripley instructed Palmer to “continue to supply this Department with Sharps carbines, to the utmost capacity of your factory, until further orders. Major Whiteley has been informed of my wishes, and will retain his sub-inspectors where they are for the present.” Orders continued to flow from Washington like manna from heaven, and Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company worked round the clock supplying the demand for the cavalry, especially in Kentucky. Carbine orders were:
February 15, 1862: send “soon as made” 343 Sharps carbines to Lt. Col. Harvey Hogg, 2nd Batt., 2nd 111. Cavalry, at Paducah, Kentucky.
June 26, 1862: “all the Sharps carbines you can manufacture for the ensuing three months” at $30. Major W. A. Thornton, inspector.
September 9, 1862: “all the Sharps carbines you can manufacture for the three months next ensuing after the expiration of your present order, namely, the 26th instant,” at $30, Major P. V. Hagner, inspector.
December 19, 1862: “all you can deliver for three months” commencing Jany. 1, 1863, at $30, Major Hagner, inspector.

Carbines by Sharps had been tested by the U.S. since first 1851 Maynard primed model with inside hammer like Ames “boxlock” pistol (top) but volume production did not begin until War when M1859-63 types (middle) were produced. First 1859’s had brass patchbox, trim; later ones were iron, color hardened. Then in April, 1863 the New Model series was altered to a lower priced gun without patchbox (bottom) and several tools omitted, lowering price. Guns without patchbox began at C,1 to about C,50,000.