A very rare Sharps Model 1859

[Gary Cain]

Rare is a term that is used far too much but in this case it is warranted. It is an original civilian model sold to someone on the frontier and then captured by the American Indians and used by them against their enemies.
It was recovered by the US Army during the Indian Wars and went who knows where. I do know it lived for about 60 years in a closet till it was purchased by the current owners family (not mine unfortunately) about 30 years ago.

As Herr Grist would say...enjoy!

[Gary Cain]

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rare is a term that is used far too much but in this case it is warranted. It is an original civilian model sold to someone on the frontier and then captured by the american indians and used by them against their enemies.
It was recovered by the us army during the indian wars and went who knows where. I do know it lived for about 60 years in a closet till it was purchased by the current owners family (not mine unfortunately) about 30 years ago.

As herr grist would say...enjoy!

[Gary Cain]

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[Douglas Jr.]

Very interesting! A lot of story is in this piece of wood and steel.
If it could talk...

[Gene]

Killer rifle. I thought Indians removed the buttplate for use as a tool; is that an old wives tale?

[Matt Weber]

Gary,

WOW! that baby is "sharp" (ha ha ha, no pun intended there!)
Boy if this gun could talk!

I've always had a love affair with the Sharps and the Spencer carbines. I've always wanted one to hang up on the wall. Unfortunately with prices today, I can't afford either of them.

Thanks for sharing this with us though. Just makes me want one even more now!

Matt

[Gary Cain]

Hi Gene,

My mom was married to a Sioux for several years and I lived on the Pine Ridge Reservation for about 8 months and I had the opportunity to handle three carbines that were adorned in this way (I would LOVE to be able to buy just one of these carbines but they will NEVER willingly let these go) and one of them did not have the buttplate any longer. I do not know the reason why it was missing. By the time these were being captured worked metal was common and very available so I kind of think it was an old wives tale.

Cheers
Gary

Killer rifle. I thought Indians removed the buttplate for use as a tool; is that an old wives tale?

[Dennis S]

Very Very Nice Gary. I love the carbines the most of all the percussion era guns.