Ole Humpback
Member
I'll admit, I'm a Sharps lover (and who in their right mind isn't). I've been looking at, researching, and weighing the pro's and con's of various Sharps for about a year now and I keep noticing how many people make a Sharps, but how few do it with quality. It seems to me that if you want a cheap Sharps, a good used Pedersoli, C. Sharps, or Shiloh is the way to go. If you want new without the custom build wait, its Pedersoli or C. Sharps and at that you're still looking at 2wks to 4 months wait. And if you want the best that money can buy, its Shiloh with a 20-24 month build time. Now I'm not complaining at all about quality, I've got my eyes set on a Sporting Deluxe Pedersoli in 45-70 and a Sporter #1 Shiloh in 45-120.
After a while of researching the history of the Sharps, I noticed that the Sharps Manufacturing company also made ammo for its arms as well. I had a light bulb moment a few days back thinking about how Henry Repeating Arms came back to life with the new Henry rifle, and it got me to thinking: is it possible that Sharps could be resurrected as well? Sharps has at least one item in its favor if they did come back: ammo with their name on it. I can get brass and/or ammo for 45-75 Sharps (this is standard 45-70 brass but different bullet for more powder), 45-90 Sharps, 45-90 Express (a Sharps DG cartridge), 45-100 Sharps, 45-110 Sharps, 45-120 Sharps, and 50-90 Sharps. Now, most of these are BP, but I'm beginning to find that the brass makers are making there brass strong enough for "hi" power smokeless loads. Theres a 45-120 smokeless load out there driving a 500gr slug at 2000fps.
So, if the Sharps Manufacturing Co. were to be resurrected, how plausible do you think it is and what would be needed for it to be successful?
Personally, my list of items for success is:
1.) $1000 price point (could be less, but I don't think it likely given what Henry is charging) quality entry level Sharps in a common caliber such as 30-30, 30-06, 243/270 Winchester, 25-06, some variant/variants of the 7x57 Mauser, and your typical 38-55 Winchester & 45-70 Govt. This would be a single trigger model with a standard walnut stock, blued metal finish, sling swivels, and standard rifle sights but able to accept a modern scope mount and base.
2.) Offer a few mid ranged ($1300-$1800) models upgraded from the base with coin colored finished receivers, a recoil pad, and some subtle engraving or wood checkering for those who want a nice Sharps but aren't in the premium market. Offer some of these models in the more popular traditional Sharps cartridges. Offer one model in the above with a grade nicer wood stock & checkering, double set triggers, and Creedmoore sights. Have the rest tapped from the factory for Creedmoores.
3.) Bringing back the more popular old Sharps cartridges, but modernize them for smokeless loads to enable a large reloading option and strong loads to compete with existing rounds.
4.) Offer a premium level Sharps, not custom built, but able to compete with $2000+ ($2000-$2700) Pedersolis at a slight price savings. Chamber it with the two most popular base model common rounds, but offer the traditional Sharps chamberings primarily. Keep the standard rifle sights on two models while making Creedmore's or Goodwin's the primary sight. Have coin colored receivers, Grade III wood, recoil pad, artful engraving, schnable pistol grip stock, Pewter/German silver forearm end cap, wood checkering, and double set triggers. Offer the top model with a Malcolm 6x scope.
Thoughts, input?
*EDIT*
I think my thread would be more aptly named: Is there a market for the return of the Sharps Manufacturing Co.?
After a while of researching the history of the Sharps, I noticed that the Sharps Manufacturing company also made ammo for its arms as well. I had a light bulb moment a few days back thinking about how Henry Repeating Arms came back to life with the new Henry rifle, and it got me to thinking: is it possible that Sharps could be resurrected as well? Sharps has at least one item in its favor if they did come back: ammo with their name on it. I can get brass and/or ammo for 45-75 Sharps (this is standard 45-70 brass but different bullet for more powder), 45-90 Sharps, 45-90 Express (a Sharps DG cartridge), 45-100 Sharps, 45-110 Sharps, 45-120 Sharps, and 50-90 Sharps. Now, most of these are BP, but I'm beginning to find that the brass makers are making there brass strong enough for "hi" power smokeless loads. Theres a 45-120 smokeless load out there driving a 500gr slug at 2000fps.
So, if the Sharps Manufacturing Co. were to be resurrected, how plausible do you think it is and what would be needed for it to be successful?
Personally, my list of items for success is:
1.) $1000 price point (could be less, but I don't think it likely given what Henry is charging) quality entry level Sharps in a common caliber such as 30-30, 30-06, 243/270 Winchester, 25-06, some variant/variants of the 7x57 Mauser, and your typical 38-55 Winchester & 45-70 Govt. This would be a single trigger model with a standard walnut stock, blued metal finish, sling swivels, and standard rifle sights but able to accept a modern scope mount and base.
2.) Offer a few mid ranged ($1300-$1800) models upgraded from the base with coin colored finished receivers, a recoil pad, and some subtle engraving or wood checkering for those who want a nice Sharps but aren't in the premium market. Offer some of these models in the more popular traditional Sharps cartridges. Offer one model in the above with a grade nicer wood stock & checkering, double set triggers, and Creedmoore sights. Have the rest tapped from the factory for Creedmoores.
3.) Bringing back the more popular old Sharps cartridges, but modernize them for smokeless loads to enable a large reloading option and strong loads to compete with existing rounds.
4.) Offer a premium level Sharps, not custom built, but able to compete with $2000+ ($2000-$2700) Pedersolis at a slight price savings. Chamber it with the two most popular base model common rounds, but offer the traditional Sharps chamberings primarily. Keep the standard rifle sights on two models while making Creedmore's or Goodwin's the primary sight. Have coin colored receivers, Grade III wood, recoil pad, artful engraving, schnable pistol grip stock, Pewter/German silver forearm end cap, wood checkering, and double set triggers. Offer the top model with a Malcolm 6x scope.
Thoughts, input?
*EDIT*
I think my thread would be more aptly named: Is there a market for the return of the Sharps Manufacturing Co.?
