Sharps rifle question

[Bezoar]

Ive been looking at the none centerfire ones and have a question for you all. How did christian sharps manage to seal the chamber? Ive seen notations for an expanding metal part in the chamber, but cant find it on diagrams of the sharps rifle.

 

[Jim Watson]

There is a gas seal across the breechblock and a chamber sleeve that are supposed to meet up. Lots discussion on the Shiloh board
http://www.shilohrifle.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=8&topicdays=0&start=0

 

[Roswell 1847]

How did christian sharps manage to seal the chamber?

He never managed a really perfect seal. Theres a platinum ring which prevented gas erosion from escaping gases.
Sharps paper cartridge rifles weren't all that efficient, there was no way to compress the charge.
The very similar looking Star carbine wedged the breechblock closed against a seal of some sort. It was very effective in preventing loss of pressure, and slighty compressed the charge for better efficiency.

 

[Redd Flynt]

I shoot an 1863 Sharps (Pedersoli) in .45 caliber. The Lawrence plate on the front of the breech block moves forward from gas pressure and sort of seals the breech. It's not perfect by any means but works well enough.

Other than the slight gas leakage mine shoots just fine.

 

[ArmedBear]

Ultimately, he used .45-70 brass to do it.