Hello ya'll. This is my first post to the board. Been reading some and learning about the 1876. These are photos of an old rifle my son-in-law gave me. His father purchased it at an estate sale up in Minnesota several (many?) years ago and passed it on to my S-I-L as a wall hanger. A week or so ago my S-I-L gave it to me as an early Christmas present knowing I like fooling with these old guns. I've got a few Rolling Blocks (all original), a Trapdoor (original), and a reproduction 1874 Sharps. I enjoy tinkering around with gunsmith work, casting, and reloading.... and of course shooting
As you can see in photos there are parts are missing, but it does seem to be repairable. The bore at the muzzle is .401" and best I can tell the base of the chamber next to the rim portion of the cartridge is .490" diameter. 40-60 cal is stamped on barrel next to receiver. Bore looks good after I cleaned it up some. Here's a full length image:
This is an angle side view of receiver showing trigger & hammer installed. They work good along with the lever safety pin. The rear toggle pin is in place.
I've got the magazine tube ordered from ebay. I'll make the magazine plug and follower. I expect to make some of the screws also.
I placed an order with Cimarron today for a few parts. The Cimarron is actually an Uberti, so the VTI Uberti parts should be the same as Cimarron parts. Today I ordered the following:
1 x Part #7 Carrier Block 2500007 (will need some grinding to make fit)
1 x Part # 73 Right Side Plate 2500073(both side plates should fit nicely)
1 x Part # 74 Left Side Plate 2500074
1 x Part # 90 Lifter Arm 2500090 (hoping it will fit ok once I can find a carrier block)
1 x Part # 96 Magazine Spring 2500096
1 x Part # 98 Firing Pin 2500098 $
These parts are in stock and should ship today.
I'm still looking for the breech block w/extractor, lever (finger lever), and the toggle links.
I've got the 3rd model made in 1883, serial number 40xxx. A question I have for ya'll, will the Uberti breech block fit the original 1876? The toggle links? Will any modification be required? I've read thru this thread a couple or 3 times with good info:
https://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php?topic=17987.0I know this will be a slow process to complete project. I'll need LOTS of guidance and suggestions from this group over the process of the project and any help will be greatly appreciated.
Ken H>