Even after adoption of the M1873 Trapdoor Rifles and Carbines, a number of Sharps cartridge conversion carbines and M1868 Trapdoor Rifles, caliber .50-70 Gov't, were kept around at various Army posts. The Sharps carbines were generally with cavalry units, whereas the Trapdoor .50-70's were generally found at posts where infantry units were stationed. Part of the reason was the lack of funding (sound familiar???) for .45-55 and .45-70 Gov't ammo in the FY1873 & '74 budgets, which limited the availability of the smaller diameter rounds to 3-5 rds per man per month. At Sidney Barracks, NE, in 1876, there were five Sharps Carbines, cal. .50, and over 50,000 rds of .50-70 Gov't ammo! These Sharps were utilized for target practice, foraging (hunting by troops), and also to apparently arm their civilian employees (teamsters, scouts, etc.) in the field with the troops. In addition, the Indian Police at the various Northern Plains agencies were armed with .50-70's.