Old Rifles Help with Information PLEASE

Phaethon

Hello there all ... I have come into possession of 2 rifles of which i know nothing about ... I collect coins not guns unfortunately. I am sincerely hoping that some of you experts can help me find out a little more about them and their value

Thank you in advance





One says Sharps patent 1848 on one side and Patent 1852 on the other side


The other says Burnside Patent 1856

breamfisher

Top rifle is a Burnside Carbine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burnside_carbine

Bottom is a Sharps Rifle.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharps_rifle

I think they're both percussion rifles shooting paper cartridges, but I'm not well-versed in such things.

mkk41

WOW , talk about 2 classics! First , GOOGLE Sharps and Burnside to learn a little bit more. Whatever you do , DO NOT attempt to clean them up in any way. Guns , like old coins lose value if ya try to remove the patina. I would really like to see some more detailed photos , can't tell specific models or calibers , but since I can't see them up close , I would suggest a professional appraisal.

Jayhawker

Both appear to be in really good condition...a top view of the Sharps action would be appreciated...

NN

Welcome aboard

Teach

Those patent dates put them into a time frame before self-contained brass cartridges became commonplace, so the comment about paper cartridges is right on the money. This was one of the first attempts at mass-producing a breechloading rifle, where the bullet and powder charge was combined into a rolled-up paper sleeve that a hunter or a soldier could carry as a pre-packaged round. The double-set trigger on the Sharps identifies it as a long-range hunting arm, or possibly a military sniper's rifle. You definitely need to find a qualified inspector to try to establish a value, as both of them could be worth thousands of dollars if they're scarce or custom-made items. Try contacting the Buffalo Bill Cody museum in Cody, Wyoming about doing some research on them.
Jerry

calebib

The Burnside actually used a brass cartridge, a strange cone shaped contraption, that also used a percussion cap.


And Dixie Gun Works sells reproduction cartridges. http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=8145

I will second the Cody Museum suggestion. I finally went to the museum a couple weeks ago and it was incredible, a definite must see gun nut pilgrimage.

Big Chief

Welcome aboard. I agree with the other comments. Those things are probably worth a sack of coins!

Gene L

You can buy cases for the Burnside from Dixie Gunworks. I thought the cases were soft iron.

Bigslug

Jayhawker wrote: »

Both appear to be in really good condition...a top view of the Sharps action would be appreciated...

+1

You're either going to have a nipple for a percussion cap (old paper cartridge gun), or what amounts to a driving block for a firing pin (newer brass cartridge gun). In either case, you've got the real deal. Probably worth quite a bit.

Buford

Very nice.

sarg1c

What type coins do you collect, Modern,silver, old.....