2 thoughts on “1862 Sharps & Hankins Carbine, Leather Sleeve”

1. Were the leather coverings on Sharps & Hankins’ barrels specified to be russet (brown) leather like the standard issue sling or were they originally died black? Did the sling color match the barrel cover? Is there a good close up picture or original specimen that might show the detail of how the sling was buckled to the barrel?

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   • Andy,
     The leather sleeve on my carbine is black without a rubberized covering, but I have seen many Naval carbines with a black rubberized coating over the leather. So I would say they were black, not brown. It’s my opinion that the color of the barrel sleeve and the sling may or may not have been the same color since slings were purchased from many different contractors and they were used as needed.

     As far as the sling goes I think it wound have attached around the barrel by the muzzle. I have also seen this model carbine without any sling mount in the bottom of the stock. But to be honest, I’m not sure. The 1864 Burnside (Fourth Model) has a sling mount in the bottom of the stock towards the butt plate and I have seen slings tied off at the muzzle of the barrel.

     I did some research on photo’s or drawings of an attached sling, but no luck. I wish I had more information to provide but I don’t, sorry. If in the future I come across information I’ll forward it to you.

     Thanks for checking out The Civil War Arsenal, Gene

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