Sharps Rifle Question

[Desert Scorpion]

I am highly interested in buying a sharps made by pedersolli, the exact model was a Calvary military carbine model. It is not the modle that shoots 45/70 rounds. It is the oldy type that takes the paper cartridge. Anyways are they worth the money, and how do you load the percussion caps into it and what kind do they take. Could someone in detail show me how you load rifle in full. Pics would be nice. Thank you

 

[frosty]

Sharps carbine

The gun you are speaking of takes a combustible paper ctg. It uses tophat musket caps placed on the nipple, one at a time...The gun is 54 cal., and a pc. of combustible ctg. paper is wrapped around the conical bullet, then filled with the proper charge of black powder, then twisted shut. The breech comes open like the later rifles, and the combustible ctg. is shoved in, until the bullet ends up stopping at the rifling throat. When the breech is closed, it shears the end of the paper ctg. , exposing the powder inside the breech...

 

[dispatch55126]

Cartridges are the intended use for these rifles as the block shears the end of the cartridge but you can use loose conicals and powder. Its a falling block design. When you open the breach, you slide the cartridge (or conical and loose powder) into the breach (a cartridge will stick out slightly beyond the breach) and when the breach is closed it shears the end of the cartridge for a direct ignition path.

 

[Desert Scorpion]

Hey thanks I ordered one last night from dixiegunworks. Cant wait to get it.

 

[BigG]

Can you roll the cartridge using cigarette paper? I would think if you get the correct conical ball you would glue the cigarette paper around the bullet, then fill the tube with a charge of powder and twist the end. Sounds like a cool project!

 

[Desert Scorpion]

I had another question what is a PATCH BOX. Mine doesnt come with one but I know most did.

 

[4v50 Gary]

The patch box, along with the Lawrence pellet primes feed system, was discarded with the 1863 model Sharps rifle. It simplified and sped up production so there's nothing wrong with the Perdesoli reproduction you're getting. There were a few single trigger ones used by the Berdan Sharp Shooters, but the majority had set (double) triggers.

If you get a chance, pick up The Diary of Wyman White, edited by Russell White. It is the single best diary to come out of Berdan's Sharp Shooters.

 

[J.T. Gerrity]

a patch box was a cavity milled into the stock of the rifle and covered with a metal (usually brass) door. Handy for carrying patches,balls, lube, cone picks, etc. Used mainly for patched round balls, went away when folks started using self-contained cartridges.

 

[Desert Scorpion]

Thanks guys for the info Thanks for the Pics J.T.