Thread: Sharps cartridge conversion firing pin repairs HELP

Well the internet has failed me again
Either I'm not asking it the right question or I'm so far out in the weeds that it just doesn't know ( maybe both )

So this is my question
Do any of you fine folks have a genuine Sharps Civil war 1859 / 1863 cartridge conversion carbine or rifle ?
I'm just about to replace the broken firing pin tip on my project carbine and cant find anything on line giving the firing pin protrusion
Because the Sharps has to be returned to half cock before the breech block can be lowered I guess its no surprise the firing pin is broken
It's going to take a bit of getting used to once its functional and other users will have to be closely supervised and warned of the consequences of failure to comply

Now I'm pretty sure I know what it should be
And I could copy what my two 50-70 rolling blocks are
But the Sharps is a bit different and I would like to check my assumptions from the real thing

This is step 1 of 5 major repairs to get this carbine back to full function
So I'm starting with the one that lets me test fire primed cases
Check item one off the list and go on to the next problem to solve
No instant gratification on this project

guarantee someone on castboolits will know.....

Could you not use a Pedersoli repro as a pattern perhaps. ??

Originally Posted by BSA

Could you not use a Pedersoli repro as a pattern perhaps. ??

Yes could be fine I expect

There must be some Sharps repops out there

Anyway I am off to the workshop to start on it as soon as the coffee kicks in

Originally Posted by BSA

Could you not use a Pedersoli repro as a pattern perhaps. ??

Yes could be fine I expect

There must be some Sharps repops out there

Anyway I am off to the workshop to start on it as soon as the coffee kicks in

Sorted

Looks like a good healthy strike

Originally Posted by akaroa1

Yes could be fine I expect

There must be some Sharps repops out there

Anyway I am off to the workshop to start on it as soon as the coffee kicks in

I have a Pedersoli repro of an 1874 model if you need measurements. However, I believe they have either strengthened or added a spring to retain the firing spring shy of the breech face (I say strengthened or added as I'm not aware what the situation was on the originals) as while you definitely should go to half cock before opening the chamber it does not imperil the firing pin to not do so. Any blockage, crud, or malfunction of that spring though and yes indeed it'll shear that firing pin tip off!

A big chunk of me @akaroa1 wants a 45/70. I fondled one at a gun show and appreciated its weight. I’d actually favour an old Husqvarna single shot with octagonal barrel. Just because.

Originally Posted by akaroa1

Sorted

Attachment 210981

Attachment 210982

The power of caffeine eh 😁 mind you anyone who carts a k of roasted beans and probably a portable espresso machine on a hunt has a serious addiction. If only the proper grinder had been packed as well

This Sharpd 1859 model carbine was one of the first 1900 cartridge conversions because it has the spring firing pin retractor
Predates the cam retractor

Spring was long gone but very easy to find a suitable donor in my gun parts hoard

Yes a decent strike because the pin diameter is a whopping 3.0mm

It will remain 50-70 As it was when originally converted to cartridge

Just trying to tie down the donor barrel that is the last major piece of the puzzle

Originally Posted by Ingrid 51

A big chunk of me @akaroa1 wants a 45/70. I fondled one at a gun show and appreciated its weight. I’d actually favour an old Husqvarna single shot with octagonal barrel. Just because.

Funny thing but i just finished fitting a target globe sight to my new build husquvarna 45-70 rolling block
Parallel octagonal to tapered round barrel

When I got this Sharps carbine project I really didn't expect to like it as much as I now do

Due to The many faults it clearly has I got it for what turns out to be a pretty sharp price

The more I have been around it the more I like it
Now that I can fire blanks it's a lot more like a real rifle

Then I heard what the two went for in Carvells auction and I like it even more

I have two Hi-Walls & a Sharps (repros) and I have to admit there is something very cool when you pull back on that big side hammer to cock the Sharps.

Originally Posted by BSA

I have two Hi-Walls & a Sharps (repros) and I have to admit there is something very cool when you pull back on that big side hammer to cock the Sharps.

So you can understand my joy at being able to finally fire some primed cases today
Yes it is a beast of a hammer
But the quality of the internal lock work is a real surprise considering it was built during the Civil War
Lovely colour cased parts and flame blued screw heads