Carbine

Object Name:

Carbine

Object ID:

2014.010.01

Creator:

Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company; Lawrence, Richard S. (1817-1892)Gunsmith

Place of Origin:

Hartford, CT

Date:

circa 1863

Description:

Carbine. Sharps Single shot Breechloading Cap Lock Conversion Carbine, New Model 1863; .52 caliber; 21.5" half-stocked rounded blued barrel attached to the forestock with one iron band and one retaining spring; fixed brass blade front sight, folding leaf rear sight; all furniture is iron with exception of wooden stocks and brass blade front sight; curved butt plate with 2" tang; hinged sling in butt stock. "NEW MODEL 1863" stamped on barrel between rear sight and breech; "R.S. LAWRENCE / PATENTED / FEB 15TH 1859" stamped on base of rear sight; "SHARPS RIFLE / MANUFG. CO. / HARTFORD CONN." stamped on barrel between rear sight and band; "C. SHARPS' PAT / OCT. 5TH 1858" stamped on lockplate behind hammer screw; "R.S. LAWRENCE / APRIL 12TH 1859", stamped on lockplate above hammer screw; "C. SHARPS' PAT. / SEPT 12TH, 1848" on left side of lock plate; "AHK" inspectors initials stamped on left side buttstock; "69710" on tang, rear of breech. Illegible cartouche at sling bar.

Used in Civil War by George Washington Gordon (1834-1864) of Allenstown, NH, Captain in 2nd New Hampshire Regiment. Made by Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company, Hartford, CT, c. 1863.

Material:

Steel
Brass
Walnut

Dimensions:

L-39 inches

Provenance:

George Washington Gordon was born February 2, 1834, the son of Joseph Quincy Adams and Lydia Fowler (Hayes) Gordon. Educated at Alden Partridge's Gymnasium and Military Collegiate Institute in Pembroke, Gordon married Angeline Streeter on September 18, 1854. He worked in Boston trying to earn enough money to buy a farm, when the Civil War broke out. He returned to enlist in the 2nd Regiment for three months, first on April 22, 1861. He then reenlisted for three years on May 22, 1861, and was commissioned Sergeant Major on June 10, 1861. He was appointed 2nd Lieutenant on July 29, 1861, and 1st Lieutenant on July 8, 1862. Wounded at the Battle of Bull Run, Gordon was appointed Captain of Company I on September 1, 1862. Gordon was wounded again on July 2, 1863, at the Battle of Gettysburg and killed on June 3, 1864, at the Battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia.

This collection of objects and letters was assembled and kept by Angeline Streeter, the widow of Capt. George W. Gordon. The objects were carried by Capt. Gordon during the Civil War.

Credit Line:

Gift of Jane L. Gordon in memory of the George E. Gordon family of Suncook, N.H.

People:

Gordon, George Washington (1834-1864)

Subjects:

Civil War, Carbines, Rifles