Convert a repro 1863 to 50-70 Is it possible??

[BobinIL]

I have this fetish with the 50-70 cartridge and have been scouring the internet for one of those reproduction Sharps Carbines in 50-70.  All I can find are the 45-70's.   This got me to thinking (which usually costs me money) how hard would it be to take an 1863 military 54cal percussion sharps reproduction and convert it to 50-70?  I have a smith that could bore and re-line the barrel to 50 cal but what would it take to rework the falling block from percussion to centerfire?  Will the 1874 blocks work on the 1863? Just asking to see if it is possible?

[Major 2]

 $$$$ "²".   better to buy a C Sharps

You "might" find and old Garrett Sharps ..that would be the ticket .... but  Hens teeth are more abundant ...sorry  

EDIT:  Garrett ( Palmetto) made 50/70 Sharps ...towards the end some 100 guns were ship unfinished and need to be head spaced
These sold for $350 in Shotgun News and quickly sold out ( that was about 1988 )
One of these is what I was referring to... 

My point.... to try to convert a Percussion to Center fire is a folly that will drain your purse, better to look for and buy a C Sharps or Shiloh ...pricey but cheaper that the route your questioning...

[Blair]

A couple of issues in converting a percussion Sharps to a 50-70 center fire cartridge is =
First, the barrel bore size difference from .54 to .50 cal.
Second, is to getting the spent casing out of the chamber.
Third, is a modified breech block from the percussion to center fire.
Fourth, is modifying the hammer.

Each of these operations require some very specialized tooling to initiate on this type of conversion.
I hope this may offer some help?
My best,
Blair

[Professor Marvel]

If one has sufficient funds to fling at a problem, it can be accomplished....

one way to do this is to get an 1863 that is still being produced, like a  pedersoli.

For some of these the centerfire breechblock and centerfire hammers are virtually interchangeable.
IAB uses the same frame for the 1863 ( percussion) and the centerfire models, but their qulity is spotty.

If you can Find one to your liking that has interchangable parts, you are in business .
Then order out the parts.
wait.
wait some more.
eventually you will have all the bits in one place.
yhs
prof marvel

[Quick Fire]

Try this. http://www.gunbroker.com/item/573810846

Quick Fire

[Ranch 13]

By the time you got thru with all that hoorah, you would have the price of a new C Sharps or Shiloh. You can even come across original Sharps in decent condition at reasonable prices sometimes.

[BobinIL]

Thanks Quickfire found what I was looking for.

[Quick Fire]

My pleasure.

Quick Fire

[Professor Marvel]

WoW!
buying one ready made! that is much simpler than my method! Thanks Quick Fire.

to be honest I did not know Chiappa was making the 1863 50-70 carbine.

yhs
eof (now further educated) marvel

[Quick Fire]

I didn't know myself until about a month and a half ago when I saw them on Gunbroker. Bought one myself. Still not sure if they are still making them or if this is old new stock they never sold from a few years ago when they made a run of them.

Quick Fire

[BobinIL]

I emailed Chiappa they are still making them.  It would be cool to have an 1863 sharps 3 band musket converted to 50-70 but it would take a lot of $$$ to get there. 

[Mean Bob Mean]

I would bet that a C Sharps or Shiloh repro would cost less.  If you get their base model I doubt it would be too expensive.  I have seen Shiloh factory built "conversions" so I know they make them.  As I recall it was less than 1,500.00 used, for a quality rifle like that worth the price. 

[Ranch 13]

Have you looked at the C Sharps hunters carbine?
http://csharpsarms.com/catalog-detail/31/Model-1874-Carbine-Hunter-s-Rifle.html

[Blair]

Should you require a conversion with a Lawrence pellet priming system, you have two choices.
One is to use an original 1859/1863 lock plate, (these maybe very difficult to find in reasonable condition these days),
or you can try to locate one of the Garret Arms locks or firearms to build up your conversion. Which may also prove to be as difficult as finding an original lock plate.
The new made firearms will not offer you this option, and it is an important part to setting up this type of conversion.
My best,
Blair