Cheap Sharps Club

[GABulldog]

Hey boys I just got my IAB!  I am excited as heck to shoot her, but we have had a bit of foul weather.  I have a decent little rear sight on it, and will be looking for a front globe.  Anyone got any cheap suggestions?  I will post more info once I have put some hot lead down range. 

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Lyman model 17 front globe.  A classic and still goin like the bunny.  Fits a 3/8th dovetail.  Three heights,  I'd say get the lowest one.  Comes with a pack of steel inserts.  MVA inserts can be obtained in a greater choice of patterns.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

And there ya have it, folks.

[Glenn]

I got my Sharps Borchardt Hunters Rifle with a 36" octagon, rotten stock and rough barrel for $75.  It has been bored to .50 and restocked in original style. 
I guess I should mention, I got it in 1968.  It's still one of my favorite guns and lots of fun to shoot.

[Ol Gabe]

Glenn,
Just curious, what company name is on the rifle and did you track down the serial number as it might have some interesting history behind it.
Best regards and good shooting!
'Ol Gabe

[Ace Lungger]

 :)Howdy Pards, You all are not going to believe this, but here 3 weeks ago I decided to sell or trade my Master Caster, because I wasn't going to be able to use it like it was designed to be used! So I took in on trade another IAB Sharps that was imported by EMF, it looks almost identical to my Tri Star IAB, other than the barrel is matte finish, except it says Gardone VT made in Italy. It has to be the same rifle, has that dumb saftey on it. And I havn't been out to shoot it, because it hasn't been above 20 degrees since I got it! The gentleman that I got it from, told me it would knock down chickens all day long off hand! It has a decent creedmore site, other than  the windage adjustment is pretty funky! Instead of having the adjusment screw as a one peice unit, it is a 2 screw adjustment!! It is okay, just have to get used to it! And if I keep it, I will have to change the eye cup! the hole in the eye cup is big enough to use in the dark
 I am just wanting to see if it shoots better than my new one! I can't see owning to of the same guns in the same caliber? But I don't want to rebarrel it, unless i just find a bargin barrel. I looks like at least another week before i can go shoot!
Later
ACE

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Looks good, Ace!

Your IAB is a fair bit different than my Taylors Armi Sport.  Yours is browned and my forearm has the small flair downward at the front.  Your wood is checkered, too - not mine.

[Ace Lungger]

Jeff, My 74 has the beavertail forearm and the barrel is deep blue. I didn't even notice they weren't the same model untill TW pointed out how much bigger the hammer was on this new to me IAB called a 1866. So much to learn so little time to learn it in!
later ACE

[Cole Younger]

Don't know if I qualify or not.  Here's my Pedersoli 1874 Sharps Business Rifle.  I paid $650 for it used.

[Cyrille]

You should "qualfy" I paid $1,ooo.oo for mine , I believe that is the "cutoff"point.

[PickKimbel¶]

Just caught the Shiloh rifle bug again when a pard that was just laid off from one of the newly 'bankrupt' companies here in Dallas.  Felt bad about taking his baby away from him there at the consignment counter of the local toy stores but I promised him that I'd take good care of her. It was a Sharps business rifle from Shiloh with the receiver having the French silver treatment(a truly a thing of beauty  ) and couldn't bring myself to haggle a pardner down in those circumstances since that Big Wagon Wheel In The Sky does come full circle when you do such things so I paid over the $1K limit for it so it doesn't count.

Being such a work of art, I won't take it through the brush and tangles there in the woods on our place in north Louisiana so I've got to get yet another Sharps for such duty. Since the ranges are ridiculously close in the north Louisiana thickets, a carbine is much more desirable which lead me to this one:

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=12258


Which has a recent price reduction of $895~>$650. Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of this Pedersoli Confederate Sharps Carbine or of Pedersoli percussion carbines?

Thanks for the time to answer my question.

Respectfully

Pick Kimbel

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Pick, I wish I could help ya, pard.  Perhaps someone else will know sumthin'.

That sure is a handsome carbine you showed.

You should "qualfy" I paid $1,ooo.oo for mine , I believe that is the "cutoff"point.

Howdy, Cyrille!

As I am the originator of the "Cheapo Big-Bore Rifle Club," which seems to have morphed into being called the "Cheap Sharps Club" but, in fact can be ANY type of Big-Bore rifle, I never put a dollar amount as a limit.  Were I to have specified it would be $999.99.
 

However, I won't quibble about a penny ... and $1,000 for a Shiloh ANYTHING is a BARGAIN!

If some pard buys any BB (Big-Bore, not a Daisy) rifle for any amount and wants to be part of this virtual club, then Welcome!  My whole reasoning is against those snobs out there who pooh-pooh all of us who can't afford a $3,000 Shiloh or C-Sharps or a 15 month wait.  I bet I have just as much FUN with mine as they do. 

 


By the way ... I have now HEARD (but can't prove it) that there HAVE been shooters who have won some big matches using Armi Sport rifles (as sold by Taylors - like mine) and even as IAB or 2.  If that's true, then ...







Nyah-Nyah-Nyah!  How do ya like THEM apples!
  

[GABulldog]

Howdy All,

I been shooting my IAB. She ain't driving tacks yet, but I reckon I could hit a deer or two legged varmint.  Ain't had any real range time, just plinlkin'.  Anyone know if the new hammer on IABs in interchangeable with the older rifles?  I gotta admit it is awfully clunky, and I think it may even slow down locktime.  Also wondering if I need a whole new falling block.  Any answers would be helpful.  Ace, thats a good lookin new rifle,  'cept for that hammer.

[Ransom Gaer]

Pick Kimbel,

I have one of the 1859 Sharps Carbines.  One of the reasons I got it was because it doesn't have a patchbox.  Fun gun to shoot.  I am also learning about paper cartridges too.  Have not had a chance to really do some serious range work with it yet to find the best load for it. With a 75 grain load behind a 475 grain .54 bullet the recoil is suprisingly mild.  Have found the breechblock is quick to bind up from fouling.  Maybe this is me and I haven't found a solution yet.

Ransom Gaer

[PickKimbel¶]

Pick Kimbel,

1. I have one of the 1859 Sharps Carbines.  <snip/>
2. With a 75 grain load behind a 475 grain .54 bullet the recoil is suprisingly mild.  <snip/>
3. Have found the breechblock is quick to bind up from fouling.  <snip/>

Ransom Gaer

1. Sounds like I need to get one too! 
2. Was that 2Fg and what brand? What kind of bullet were you using?
3. I'm not going to be fending off hordes of attackers with rapid fire so this isn't a deal breaker; I'll experiment and see what works for me.

Have you tried any of the black powder substitutes and, if so, how have they worked out? What kind of caps did you use with this?

Thanks for the time,

Pick

[dutchy]

Hi Gang
I have posted this on another spot but will ask here as well . I have a chance to get a Chaparral Sharps for the magic price $$ . I know it isn't a Shiloh or a Pedr..  but are they a decent little rifle ?

Heck ..it LOOKS like a Sharps and 'in the dark and if ya squint your eyes...

Dutchy

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Hey, Dutchy!

For the right price, ANY gun can be fun!

I'm not sure who makes the Chaparral Sharps - it may be an IAB, but no matter.  The rifles say that they are made by Chaparral Firearms of Italy.  Find the right load that the rifle likes and shoot for fun.

Take care ...

[dutchy]

Ok ...SOOO I tell the wife  that you said
'Go for it' 

You are right ,shootin is shootin    I have fun in the basement with the old  Daisy..

Save me a spot in the CSC
Enjoy

Dutchy

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Ok ...SOOO I tell the wife  that you said
'Go for it' 

You are right ,shootin is shootin    I have fun in the basement with the old  Daisy..

Save me a spot in the CSC
Enjoy

Dutchy

By all means:  Go for it!


And feel free to tell her I said so;  I'm easy to blame!
 


I sure wish I had my old Grandpa's Daisy ... When he died, what few firearms were there went to my Uncle's house.  Including my Dad's 22 RF bolt rifle and his Quakenbush 22 RF youth rifle.  After my cousins got old enough to shoot, they took charge of them.  When I asked about them, no one had any idea what had happened to them.  They must have grown legs and walked away.
 

I'm bettin' they got traded for some wacky-terbackey.

 

[dutchy]

It's a shame how many of the old guns have disappeared . Every once in a while one will show up in a strange spot . I was at a yard sale-flea market a few years back and there was the base of a table lamp made out of the wrist and lock area from an original English Martini Henry. Bought it for .75 cents , couldn't bear to see it end up thrown away.

Dutchy

[Ransom Gaer]

1. Sounds like I need to get one too! 
2. Was that 2Fg and what brand? What kind of bullet were you using?
3. I'm not going to be fending off hordes of attackers with rapid fire so this isn't a deal breaker; I'll experiment and see what works for me.

Have you tried any of the black powder substitutes and, if so, how have they worked out? What kind of caps did you use with this?

Thanks for the time,

Pick

I have not used any black powder substitutes in it.  As for the caps I use RWS 1081 Musket caps.

Ransom Gaer

[Knarley Bob]

Howdy fellas,
I'm glad to fit in somewhere. Mr. Flintlock, good deal! I have an IAB sharps myself. It's not the one I bought, but a replacement. The first one was a salesman's demmo gun, It looked alot like yours, I think it was their rendition of the "Bussiness" rifle. Well I took it to the range to shoot it, Having NO idea of BP cartrages I bought a box of shells when I got the gun. After the first shot, I had to use a ramrod to get the brass out of the breech    It was so rough that the brass would not come out. (luckily I am a muzzle loader and had a ramrod with). Sooooo, back to the gun shop we went. After he( The owner) couldn't extract the case he kept the rifle.
A few weeks later, I checked back and was given a "replacement". Opened up the box and woo-hoo , there was one of their Deluxe modles. Octagon browned BBL, flip up sight, double set triggers real nice wood that was also checkered! Heck, the brass even comes out of this one!!
 I've done an action job on it, and lapped the barrel, the wife and I call it "Crazy Cora" and she shoots just fine. Can pound a gong @ 300 yards all day long.As soon as I find a range longer we will pound there too!!
Yup, you'll enjoy yours, if'n not, I'll give her a good home.
Regards,
Knarley

[Blackpowder Burn]

Steel Horse,

Can I join the Cheap Big Bore club with my Browning 1885 High Wall?  I bought it new for $995, complete with sights.  I think that was my one "steal" of a lifetime.  She's a real tack driver, too.

Now if my wife performed as well, and looked as good.................

[dutchy]

OOH , you are living on the edge...

Dutchy

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Steel Horse,

Can I join the Cheap Big Bore club with my Browning 1885 High Wall?  I bought it new for $995, complete with sights.  I think that was my one "steal" of a lifetime.  She's a real tack driver, too.

Now if my wife performed as well, and looked as good.................

Howdy!

Looks like you got a DEAL!  A dang GOOD one!

OOH , you are living on the edge...

Dutchy

Ain't THAT the truth!
 

Knarley Bob, glad your deal worked out in your favor.  "Crazy Cora!"