WHAT KIND OF MODERN BLACK POWDER RIFLE IS THIS?

[bros]

Im trying to figure out the model and make of this .54 cal breech loader black powder rifle. Is this a quality made rifle? Is this a plack powder cartridge gun? Excuse my ignorance, I'm not up at all on black powder vintage firearms!
This is available for purchase to me and is in good shape, what would be the approximate value be?

Thank you.

 

[bros]

Just to let you know, this picture is the only information available to me at the moment and that's why the question.

Thanks

 

[chasseur]

The bottom gun is a Sharps replica.It s hard to tell by the pic whether it is a metallic cartridge or a percussion Sharps but from what I see I think it is a percussion sharps that shoots paper cartridges loaded with black powder and fired with a musket cap.That gun was made in Italy by IAB and the quality can be so so compared to the other replicas made by Shiloh like the ones in my pic
These guns were also made in metallic cartridge as well.If the gun is a percussion Sharps then there is a bit of a learning curve to shoot it.Besides making paper cartridges (though one can loose load it ) after shooting the breech block has to be taken a part for cleaning either with hot soapy water or a black powder solvent.Same with the bore.These guns can also freeze up after firing a number times as well.Probably not the best gun for your first BP gun if it is a percussion sharpsbut they are fun

 

[bros]

Thank you for your informative post....if indeed a paper cartridge gun, that sounds like a bit of a hassle to me rather than a metallic cartridge gun.

 

[chasseur]

Actually after reading your post again when you state it is in 54 cal it definitely is a percussion gun.I missed that part on my first read lol

 

[mooncoon]

T.Same with the bore.These guns can also freeze up after firing a number times as well.Probably not the best gun for your first BP gun if it is a percussion sharpsbut they are fun

if the gun freezes up in the sense that the lever is difficult to open, it may be that the case hardening is worn through on the lever where the lever spring presses on it. That can be somewhat fixed by loosening the tension on the spring so that it does not press so hard on the lever

cheers mooncoon

 

[chasseur]

Normally the percussion sharps freeze up do to fouling.Some owners of the Pedersoli Percussion Sharps do a breech block modification consisting of an o ring to help prevent the block freezing.The Shiloh versions rely on tight tolerances to prevent the same..Even if they do save a little water on the breech will get them open for a quick clean up

 

[chasseur]

Normally the percussion sharps freeze up do to fouling.Some owners of the Pedersoli Percussion Sharps do a breech block modification consisting of an o ring to help prevent the block freezing.The Shiloh versions rely on tight tolerances to prevent the same..Even if they do seize up a little water on the breech will get them open for a quick clean up.The original Sharps and some of the Italian replicas relied on a sliding gas bushing to make the gas seal but this to was problematic with seizing up

 

[tiriaq]

I have no experience with a percussion Sharps. But I do have an original Starr percussion carbine.
I my experience with the Starr, consumable paper cartridges would be a convenience, but not a necessity. I just seat a lubricated lead bullet into the leade, fill the chamber with powder, close and cap. I think the Starr action avoids the fouling problems mentioned above. It uses a 2 piece breechblock. The front piece tips back, the rear piece runs vertically, to cam the front against the barrel breech to seal. The barrel breech is a cone, the breech piece has a groove to engage the cone. Doesn't leak gas.

 

[bros]

Thanks for all the info......yes come to think about it pre-loaded paper cartridges in the field would mean less fiddling around......I'll have to you tube the process for that.

 

[chasseur]

look up Hahn tubes.They are a cardboard type tube made for these guns.You will also have to cast your own bullets as well so you will need a bullet casting set like a bullet mould,casting furnace etc.The best bullet for percussion sharps is what is called a Xmas tree bullet.Here are some of my cartridges for the sharps using the Hahn tubes