What's the difference between 1859 and 1863 Sharps rifles?

[taco650]

The title says it all. I've always wondered about the differences between the two models. They look the same to me but... guess its time to let the experts set me straight!:wink:

[1Hawkeye]

A 59 has a patch box and a primer feed the 63 doesn't.

[varsity07840]

A 59 has a patch box and a primer feed the 63 doesn't.

The 63 has a primer feed.

[1Hawkeye]

Oops my bad ��

[rbertalotto]

Isn't there something different on how they seal the chamber?

[doc1876]

these guys are correct. they are exactly the same except the patch box. now that being said, when a '59 got it's stock broke in the war, it was replaced with a '63 stock, so you would have to research the serial numbers to make sure which you do have.
As a side note: the coffee mill was another that the stocks were broken off of, however this was on purpose, so they were replaced with the '63. I am not aware of original coffee mills being recorded as to serial numbers, so you could have one, and never know it.

[varsity07840]

Isn't there something different on how they seal the chamber?

No. They're exactly the same.