Fellow Sharpshooters

Listed for sale on the Lodgewood website is a nearly pristine Shiloh (Farmingdale, NY production) New Model 1863 Sharps Military Rifle. The barrel is polished (unlike the later Big Timber models that protect the barrel with a black Parkerized-like finish). The lock plate and other furniture have a rich case hardened finish. The wood is as clean and bright as when it left Wolfgang Droege’s factory. Unfortunately, it is difficult to determine the year of manufacture, but the serial number suggests early 1980’s production.

The price of this Shiloh is within the range of “new-out of the box” Big Timber rifles, circa 2005. Unlike the BT’s, the Farmingdale rifle features the patch box (an add on expense in 2005). The Farmingdale is compatible with most original Sharps parts. I recently swapped the original carbine lock plate and installed it on my Shiloh to evaluate primer pellets I made from #11 percussion caps, (the Sharps/Lawrence feeder system performed flawlessly, and the linen cartridges ignited every time).

In terms of history, the December 1864 contract between SRMCo and the War Department for the New Model 1863 weapons specified only the rifles were to retain the patch boxes, but eliminated them on carbines. By War’s end, thousands of these brand new weapons were stored in Arsenal warehouses. Unlike many of their competitors, Sharps remained solvent by altering 80,000 to accept the new 50-70 Government center fire cartridge. In 1873 the Government released the 45-70 centerfire cartridge used in both military and civilian firearms. However, many shooters, then and now, claim it was Sharps that was the “Gun that Won the West”.

Here is the link:

https://www.lodgewood.com/Near-New-Shiloh-Farmingdale-1863-Percussion-Rifle_p_7187.html

Bill Skillman
Berdan Sharpshooters Survivors Association