Thread: 54 cal sharps

There is a strong possibility that I now own a sharps 54 cal capping breech loader based on the ruahine auction realised prices and am just waiting on confirmation from them. Thats the good bit, the bad is it comes without a bullet mold.
So I'm wondering if any of the other denizens of this place affected by black powder disease who have one could either cast me a few projectiles, let me borrow a mold or point me in the right direction to aquire one.
This could end up being a bit of fun or not😊

Oh, I too have one of those.
In the same size too I think. But I do not have a mould yet sorry.

When you get it, we shall post pictures for all to admire.

Originally Posted by Marty Henry

There is a strong possibility that I now own a sharps 54 cal capping breech loader based on the ruahine auction realised prices and am just waiting on confirmation from them. Thats the good bit, the bad is it comes without a bullet mold.
So I'm wondering if any of the other denizens of this place affected by black powder disease who have one could either cast me a few projectiles, let me borrow a mold or point me in the right direction to aquire one.
This could end up being a bit of fun or not��

I think my bids .50 cents more than yours?

Originally Posted by Maca49

I think my bids .50 cents more than yours?

is it a repro? surely.
How much did it go for?

Originally Posted by 40mm

is it a repro? surely.
How much did it go for?

Knowing this old bugger, with deep pockets and not being able to identify competing bidders. About $7500.

First stop Reloaders Supplies, who often carry molds, but if you have to order some then I get mine from Accurate Molds:
https://www.accuratemolds.com/

They have every design you can think of and can do a mulitple cavity mold of different designs. (ie I have a two cavity .44 bullet mold from them which I chose two different bullets types.)

They take Lee handles which are easy to get.

They are cheap.

I order things and they are here in less than 10 days.

Originally Posted by Maca49

I think my bids .50 cents more than yours?

Sadly for you they went up in $20 increments, anyhow till either of us get a confirmatory email it's just educated guesswork

The prices realised list is out on email but it doesn't seem complete so there may be an update.
As it's a matter of public record it was $1420 plus buyers premium and yes @40mm it's a repro

Originally Posted by Marty Henry

The prices realised list is out on email but it doesn't seem complete so there may be an update.
As it's a matter of public record it was $1420 plus buyers premium and yes @40mm it's a repro

That is money well spent.
I have hardly shot mine, must get into it.

Originally Posted by Marty Henry

The prices realised list is out on email but it doesn't seem complete so there may be an update.
As it's a matter of public record it was $1420 plus buyers premium and yes @40mm it's a repro

Would have been a lot more if we’d been there

Well I finally got all the pieces together, managed to borrow a pedersoli mold and cast up some bullets. The sharps pattern "Christmas tree" is a bastard to get out of the mold due to the flange, I ended up using a pair of needle nose pliers to release them.
Next was making the cartridges, it's not too difficult actually. I opted for the flat base version body of newsprint end sealed with a round of single ply bog paper. Couple of dabs of pva and it's done.
I could only get 40 gr into the cases 50 is supposedly more traditional.
Lubed last of all once assembled.
First round was a hang fire, I hadn't punctured the base on loading which is supposedly proper procedure.
There was a lot of unburnt paper in the breech nitrating it in future seems to be a good idea as does either using less or getting rid of the pva and maybe using nail polish instead (nitrocellulose based).
After 2 shots the breech was stiff, three it was gummed with fouling, spitting on the breech block freed it up and I managed to run all 8 cartridges.
The obturation isnt quite perfect, couple that with the fouling of the action and the desirability of puncturing the cartridges on loading and it seems to be a pretty accurate reproduction of what it must have been like in service. Still compared to a muzzle loader the rate of fire is impressive

Nice period boots old chap - back in the day the guys would have loved having dry feet haha

Oh. Nice rifle too.

Originally Posted by Tentman

Nice period boots old chap - back in the day the guys would have loved having dry feet haha

Guess I'll never be a "style icon" then.😂

I wonder if zig zag rice paper might be better than bog roll??? looks interesting ,cant say Ive seen them set up before,thank you for the education.