Sharps rifle

This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.

This article needs more links to other articles to help integrate it into the encyclopedia. Please help improve this article by adding links that are relevant to the context within the existing text. ()

Sharps Rifle of America
Production information
Country of origin	United States
Manufacturer(s)	Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company
Designer(s)	Christian Sharps
Year(s) designed	1848
Production began	1848
Production ended	1881
Technical specifications
Weapon type	Rifle
Caliber	.52in (13.2mm) .50-90 Sharps .45-70 Government Various other calibers
Action	Falling block
Length	47in (1.20m)
Weight	9.5lb (4.3kg)
Feed system	Single shot
Usage
Notable users	United States

The Sharps rifle was an American breech-loading rifle that was designed by Christian Sharps. It was widely during the American Civil War and the American Indian Wars.

History

Throughout the early 1800s the muzzleloading musket was the most common rifle. They were dependable and accuarate but very slow to load. Many gunsmiths made breechloading rifles which could load through the rear of the gun. In 1819 John Hall made his first breechloader which became known as the M1819 Hall rifle. Christian Sharps was his assistant and thought about making his own rifle. The Hall rifle did not have a tight seal making hot gases escape. In 1848 Christian Sharps made his own breechloader, it was was simpler in construction and had a much tighter seal and action. A lever would be pulled down and a paper cartridge would be inserted. The breech would be closed, the nipple would be capped and the gun could be fired.

During the 1850's the Sharps rifle became popular, competing with the Starr Carbine for becoming the United States standard carbine in 1858. Famous abolitionist John Brown used Sharps rifles when he tried to take control of the Harper's ferry. At the start of the American civil war in 1861 the Sharps rifle was widely used by both Union soldiers and Confedarates. Berdan's sharpshooters used the Sharps rifle as their main rifle. The Sharps long barreled rifle version was used in small numbers when compared with the Sharps carbine. Towards the end of the war the Spencer rifle began to replace the Sharps rifles on the battlefield but still remained popular.

Sharps 1874 carbine

After the war many Sharps rifles and carbines were converted to fire metalic cartridges. They became famous for being able to take down buffalo. Production of the rifle stopped in 1881 when the Sharps company went out of buisness.

Replicas of the gun today are made by Uberti and other gun companies.