Sharps Rifle Question

[Mac Attack]

Is a blackpowder Sharps only capable of shooting paper cartridges or can it shoot metalic cartridges loaded with bp too?

The reason I ask is because I am seriously considering purchasing a Sharps Carbine which the dealer described as a .54 cal blackpowder rifle. I have seen Sharps but usually they are in the 45/xxx range. What would a .54 Cal equate to in the 54/xxx range or is this only applicable for centerfire rifles?

I like the rifle but before I drop the cash on a new rifle I want to find out how versitile it can be. I don't mind rolling my own rounds, but for easy of shooting a nice metal cartridge would also fill the bill nicely.

 

[Tommygunn]

Early Sharps were generally used with paper cartridges or could be used with loose BP. The dropping block design transitioned very well to fixed ammo (brass cartridges like today), but the early ones still would only use paper cartridges or loose BP.
That having been said, there are on the market machined brass cases with a hole in the base that are said to be usable with .54 caliber sharps, but they will not fit all brands.
I have forgotten which brand they were designed for.
The BP sharps will not use cartriges -- they have no "firing pin" and use a nipple to allow a flash from a cap through to the powder charge.
The later cartridge Sharps had a firing pin to impress the primer in the base of the cartridge.

 

[sharps59]

59-63

the 1859 and 63's were paper. som were converted to cart. later on.
you have about 4 choices and a 5th I'm not sure about.
1] loose powder 2]roll your one paper, 3] charlie hahns tubes that desinagrate when fired., 4]plastic tubes that hold the powder and bullet. you push it in and pull the tube out leaving the powder and bullet behind. 5] the brass tubes simular to a smith. not exactly how well they work as far as getting them out.
I have photos of 3 types. send me an email address if you want.
I may post them later or look up one of my past posts pics are there some where.:banghead:
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=77705&d=1209945935