Thinking about Sharps

[Black Blade]

Thinking about Sharps

I went into Montana on business and stopped in Big Timber to look over some old west sporting rifles. There are two manufacturers of Sharps rifles in this town of 1200 people. There's The Shiloh Rifle Co. and C.Sharps Arms Co.:

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/d97261613cdd7c43d14b4fdb3f6eec96551e517a_r.jpg

The Shiloh Sharps Rifle Company

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/a8e16f19dfc4d0b4dd645b53e3dc4b29e11b709b_r.jpg

The C.Sharps Arms Company

That is the rifle used by Tom Selleck in the 1990 movie "Quigley Down Under". There were three rifles made for the movie. One to be used by the star, one to be used by the stunt double and the third in reserve in case something happens to either of the first two. The Shiloh Rifle Co. of Big Timber, Montana made the rifles. The Model 1874 Sharps was the base model used and was built in 45-110 cal. (the .45-110, meaning caliber .45 and 110 grains of black powder for a charge. Also called the .45 2 7/8", meaning the caliber was .45 and the case length was 2 7/8"). Oh yeah, Tom Selleck kept one of the rifles as did the producer and director.

The waiting list for the Shiloh Sharps is between 18-24 months. They do have several examples on display:

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/3cf16b1fdecfd3b3df232181b8ef96b414ac2e64_r.jpg

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/2e816b15d7c9dcbcd4966c2da702bf7f5b214acc_r.jpg

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/9b526ec1d4ddac60dcdb02d9777bfc7ff513019f_r.jpg

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/363361a916e5dcb2cd90d17eb8ced2dc26d49341_r.jpg

The C. Sharps Company has several that can be bought "off the rack" (not sure about the waiting list for a new build rifle):

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/0d036d301a08df04c1d7d219b12cdc083086ea9e_r.jpg

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/ac6367a4138bd233c275df77b72adfefddaf6505_r.jpg

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/1cf369c21497d2adc8b9d1a9b7a7d9d188be98d5_r.jpg

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/7ce368a31fbedba0cc15d7b3b475d5be0b612872_r.jpg

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/1cf16e16d4ced4b3d69e522a6fd1616cfd0c8f29_r.jpg

I didn't tour the facilities and not even sure that would be possible. I really didn't have the time but I should have asked anyway. I have to admit that I'm tempted. I may have to return and go over the details and order one (or two?). For a few thousand I could have a very nice rifle. I am considering an 1874 in 45-70 for a hunting rifle - just to spice it up a bit and make for a more challenging hunt perhaps.

- Black Blade

[willie pete]

what kind of price are we looking at for one BB?

[mightymanx]

I am a huge proponent of the 45-70 and have been loading and shooting it for a long time.

The 45-70 is a great round and has massive stopping power but for long shots on the plains using a sharps type rifle I would want one in 45-100. The problem with 45-70 is it does not have the legs to take advantage of the extra barrel of the sharps the 45-100 has the powder reserve to do that so you can get all the velocity for long shots.

I want a 45-100 rolling block with the old brass telescopic sight for some long distance "buffalo" cowboy action shooting events around here.

[Black Blade]

what kind of price are we looking at for one BB?

They are as cheap as $1300 but the Buffalo Quigley (Shiloh) is about $3300. I am also considering the hunters carbine for around $1850 (Shiloh base model) and the 1874 Boss Gun at about $4800 (C. Sharps). I'm leaning toward the Quigley in a 45-110 cal and maybe the hunters carbine in 45-70. It all depends on the economy of course or I could sell three or four ounces of Au. :)

[Tumbleweed]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7y9vtVG4eY&feature=related

[willie pete]

what kind of price are we looking at for one BB?

They are as cheap as $1300 but the Buffalo Quigley (Shiloh) is about $3300. I am also considering the hunters carbine for around $1850 (Shiloh base model) and the 1874 Boss Gun at about $4800 (C. Sharps). I'm leaning toward the Quigley in a 45-110 cal and maybe the hunters carbine in 45-70. It all depends on the economy of course or I could sell three or four ounces of Au. :)




Actually I thought the may be more than that....being hand made