Shiloh Sharps

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Steve S.

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I received my Long Range Express rifle today; it was ordered in May of 2020. It is a 45-70, 30” heavy octagon with most of the bells and whistles including exhibition grade wood.
I have owned two of their rifles before; I was spoiled by the perfectionist fit and finish of my first two rifles so I decided to dump $5,500 into yet another example of their fine work.
I initially received a rifle in July of this year; to my absolute dismay, the quality of the first sample sent to me was appalling - the fit and finish was simply terrible (damaged fore end, proud wood on one side of the butt plate, gaps between the receiver and wood, receiver casting was pitted and gouged, pewter cap was stained, pitted and scratched, there appeared to be some kind of wood filler applied to fill the gaps - simply a mess and a grand disappointment to say the very least - how in the world did this rifle ever exit their shop for shipment?????
The rifle was immediately returned with many photos of my concerns. When I spoke with the owner, he agreed that the rifle was subpar and that he would make it right - so the wait began again.
Well as stated, a replacement rifle arrived today via UPS. I was a tad nervous as to what quality I would find when I opened the box. To my reverse dismay, I removed a rifle from the case that appeared to be absolutely stunning in every detail - like a catalog photograph. Every single minute detail was flawless - the exhibition grade stock (both fore end and butt stock) was of absolutely stunning, gorgeous figure - I was extremely impressed and extremely pleased.
I must say that I was grandly POed at receipt of the first rifle - the quality was so bad that it was laughable - again, it was unbelievable to me that the first rifle got out of the shop. However, my faith was restored with the receipt of my rifle today - absolute flawlessly stunning (and yes, photos to follow).
PS, I have an 1885 45-70 with the bells and whistles ordered with C. Sharps - due for completion around June of next year - you simply cannot have too many rifles on order!
 
I love dramatic adventures with a happy ending!
I can’t wait to see it!:)

It struck me once that whenever I look at beautiful custom rifles it was really the wood I was admiring so. The only part humans can’t make, the very first additive manufacturing process, that we can only subtract from. Easy to royally screw up, artwork when done right.
 
Besides the pics, I would like to know who made it. If I lived somewhere suitable I would get one myself. Is it the company which made the version (34" barrel) for "Quigley Down Under"?
 
I got my C Sharps 1875 a year ago. I added several upgrades including the wood furniture. I love it. Last I heard Shiloh Sharps was for sale. I wonder if something about that affected the outcome of your 1st rifle.
Yea, can't wait to see pics.
Congratulations.
 
beag_nut said:
Besides the pics, I would like to know who made it. If I lived somewhere suitable I would get one myself. Is it the company which made the version (34" barrel) for "Quigley Down Under"?
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Who made it? Shiloh Sharps like in the headline.
Somewhere suitable? Anywhere with a rifle range. You don't HAVE to get one in .45-70 or bigger; a .38-55 single shot is a delight and if you are all smokeless they will build you a .30-40 Krag.
Yes, they made the Quigley rifles, I think two real rifles and a non-shooting dummy. You would do better shooting with something like a No 1 Sporting rifle with 30" barrel and shotgun butt.
 
Steve S.

Sorry to hear about your First rifle but it sure seems like they more than made up for it with the Second rifle!

Definitely got what you asked for with that exhibition grade wood! Here's hoping that it's as accurate as it is extremely stunning in it's appearance!
 
beag_nut said:
Besides the pics, I would like to know who made it. If I lived somewhere suitable I would get one myself. Is it the company which made the version (34" barrel) for "Quigley Down Under"?
Click to expand...
Shiloh Rifle Company is in Big Timber, Montana - about 80 miles west of Billings. My wife ordered a "Quigley" rifle from them for her 25th Anniversary gift to me (25 years ago BTW) in 1996. However, because Shiloh Rifle Company was backed up 2 years, I didn't actually get my 25th Anniversary gift until our 27th Anniversary.:D
It's a dandy though. It's exactly like Quigley's .45-110 (except my rifle has my initials instead of Quigley's engraved on it), and when it was finally ready, my wife and I just took a little road trip and drove up to Big Timber (about 300 miles north of here) and picked it up.
At any rate, I don't understand what you mean by "If I lived somewhere suitable, I would get one myself." What makes CT not "suitable" for having a Sharps replica?
I can understand a Sharps replica not being practical. Mine sure isn't - it was expensive, it's heavy, it's way too fancy for me to consider hunting with, a .45-110 has a rainbow-like trajectory, and it kicks! The truth is, every time I take it out and shoot it, I wish it was a .45-70, or even a smaller rifle chambered for something like a .40-65 Winchester.
Of course I'd never trade my "Quigley" .45-110 off though. It's a beautiful rifle, and my beautiful bride gave it to me 25 years ago. Practicality isn't everything.;)
 
Shiloh Sharps was for sale for (about) 2.5 years - it was not sold and is now off the market. I have never heard that C. Sharps has been or is for sale. Both companies produce fine rifles - I would hate to see either go away.
 
.308 Norma said:
At any rate, I don't understand what you mean by "If I lived somewhere suitable, I would get one myself." What makes CT not "suitable" for having a Sharps replica?
;)
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In CT smokeless rifles are not allowed for hunting (unless private property of more than 10 acres,, with permission). Don't know of any private places of such which allow hunting. Must be black powder or archery. This is a VERY crowded state. And I won't buy a rifle I cannot use. Perhaps personal circumstances in the future would allow being somewhere like Kentucky.
 
beag_nut said:
In CT smokeless rifles are not allowed for hunting (unless private property of more than 10 acres,, with permission). Don't know of any private places of such which allow hunting. Must be black powder or archery. This is a VERY crowded state. And I won't buy a rifle I cannot use. Perhaps personal circumstances in the future would allow being somewhere like Kentucky.
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Got ya.:thumbup:
So I take it you don't have any rifles. It's none of my business, but I'm curious - if you do have rifles, what do you use them for? Whatever it is, I suspect a person could use a Shiloh-Sharps for the same thing(s). As I said, I don't even use my Shiloh-Sharps for hunting - I have other rifles that are a lot more practical for any type of hunting.;)
BTW, I understand what you mean, but technically, my Shiloh-Sharps .45-110 is a "black powder" rifle. It's a BPCR (Black Powder Cartridge Rifle) that I'll bet would get you a ticket if you were caught hunting with in CT.:p:D
 
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Movies like Quigley Down Under and the true stories of the Battle at Adobe Walls have always made me want to try a cartridge Sharps in a self defense style tactical match. I’d bet one can get shots off fairly quickly after some practice, and the rifle would of course have excellent stand-off capabilities with the big .45-70 Gov’t cartridges and would penetrate light body armor and soft skinned vehicles with ease.

Gorgeous rifle, congrats!
 
Certainly the single shot breechloaders were of tactical advantage in The War, even the "capping breechloaders" like 1863 Sharps. Cartridge loading could only help, even including manipulating the hammer. How many old west shooters brought their Sharps to half cock to reload so as to protect the funky firing pin?

The next evolution was the self cocking single shot like Winchester.

The Werder Lightning was probably the fastest military single shot.
English sahibs who could not afford a double express rifle but wanted something nicer than a Martini developed rapid fire techniques for the Farquharson. The Ruger No 1 is similar enough that I tried it out. It was pretty quick as long as I could handle the recoil of a 7 1/2 lb .45-70.

Fire the first shot, knock down the lever and let the butt drop for the empty to fall out (Ruger has ejector but Farquharson does not.) Pluck a cartridge out of the breast loops on your safari jacket as you rock the rifle back level, chamber it, sweep the lever shut as you shoulder the butt, shoot again. Repeat as required. I think you could keep up with the typical hunter who takes a bolt action off his shoulder to cycle. See, those loops are functional, not just to make Stewart Grainger look more pukka sahib.
 
JCooperfan1911 said:
Movies like Quigley Down Under and the true stories of the Battle at Adobe Walls have always made me want to try a cartridge Sharps in a self defense style tactical match. I’d bet one can get shots off fairly quickly after some practice, and the rifle would of course have excellent stand-off capabilities with the big .45-70 Gov’t cartridges and would penetrate light body armor and soft skinned vehicles with ease.

Gorgeous rifle, congrats!
Click to expand...

Depends on how you're loading.

With real BP you've either got to blow tube between shots or wipe and depending on your conditions (temp/humidity) it could be 8-10 breaths between shots. Even with paper patching, the fouling will tear patches and you'll get leading. Let the BP fouling get hard and keep shooting and your accuracy suffers and the leading begins... You can often judge IF your blow tubing is adequate by how much increased elevation you have to use to stay at your POI. First shots, clan bore are often 1-2 MOA higher than a fouled bore.

It's part of the reason I switched from the 1874 to 1885s for matches. You get 12 minutes for 10 animals in a relay (or 7 and 5 minutes If shooting banks of 5). It sounds like a lot of time, but between blow tubing, loading, sight corrections, potentially waiting on conditions, it's not really. The 74 requires an extra 2 steps, by going to 1/4 cock before dropping the block, then cocking the hammer after loading. The 1885 is just a faster action, also lighter which allows for more barrel weight while staying under max for BPCS (12lbs, 2 Oz).

Also, guys are normally loading 20-1 allow, which is relatively soft, penetrates soft targets well, not so much on hard stuff. Quigley was a cool movie (and a cool match), but not really representative of a BPCRs capabilities or challenges.
 
Wow beautiful gun!

Some 21-22 years ago dad ordered a custom Shiloh Sharps in 40-65 for long distance black powder matches. Took about 2-3 years to get it delivered. It was a beauty! While visiting him in MT at a match I noticed the bluing changing colors and whitening about 12 inches from the muzzle as he was shooting. Never seen bluing start to disappear like that. Weird. Gun was some 10 years old at the time so it could not be blamed on the company. Had to get the barrel reblued. Fantastic gun though!
 
That is a beautiful rifle! I'm glad the company made things right for you. I guess in todays times everyones QC had slipped some. But you expect a $5500 rifle to be perfect.
 
Right. Wouldn't it be better customer service to deliver a good product to start with?
And "If you don't have time to do it right, how will you find time to do it over?"
 
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