Author Topic: Anyone ever heard of U.S. Sharps Rifle Company, Meriden, Con (Read 2845 times)

Drifter721 · « **on:** April 28, 2003, 05:25:06 PM »

Picked this Sharps up at the local gun show. Bought it as a shooter/hunter. Looks well made, good stock to metal fit, American walnut stock, and has one of the brass scopes mounted on it. Question is, I've never heard of the company that made it. Not sure of it's age, whether it's just another Italian replica, or was it made here in the U.S.? Can't find any information about this company on a web search. The guy who sold it to me said he's had it for 27 years.

The barrel says "U.S. Sharps' Rifle Company, Meriden Conn." The receiver side (left) says " C. Sharps' Pat. Sept. 12th, 1848", the right side says " C. Sharps' Pat. Oct. 5th, 1852". Those are the only markings I can find.

Anyone have one, or know anything about these?

Thanks for the help!

The Shrink · « **Reply #1 on:** April 30, 2003, 01:18:45 AM »

Drifter

Have you had the forearm off? If it's Italian, it must have Italian proof marks, and I think they are usually under the forearm. No Italian proof marks on action or barrel, and you at least know it's not from Italy.

rdnck · « **Reply #2 on:** April 30, 2003, 02:33:28 AM »

Drifter--I had one of these a number of years ago. It is an Italian copy of, if memory serves, an early Sharps model, either an 1863 factory conversion, or an 1869 model. It has the early clunky looking lockplate and big, clumsy hammer, and the right side of the receiver will be flycut. I think--but am certainly not sure-- that these were made by Armi San Marco or Pedretti rather than the more desireable Pedersoli firm. They were imported for a short period of time.

It may be a shooter, who knows? You won't know until you try it. Good luck, rdnck.

Drifter721 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 30, 2003, 04:49:59 AM »

rdnck,

Thanks for the reply. The proofs on the barrel are Italian. I'm going to shoot it today to see how it does. It came with one of those long brass scopes. Looks cool anyhow. If it doesn't shoot, it will make a nice "Josie Wales" wallhanger.

Best Regards.

rdnck · « **Reply #4 on:** April 30, 2003, 05:05:57 AM »

Drifter--The rifle I owned was a short round barreled military carbine with a single trigger.Caliber was 45-70. I had no interest in shooting it , as I knew it would kick the daylights out of me in that configuration. I actually stripped it for the action, and restocked it with wood from Dixie Gunworks and put a 50 caliber 30 inch Douglas barrel 1 3/16 across the flats on it and chambered it in 50-2 1/2. It wound up as a good looking, fun gun to shoot. I sold it to a guy in Texas at a gun show about 10 years ago. I saw a buddy of his recently, and he tod me the fellow still has it and shoots it. Shoot straight, rdnck.

Horsefeathers · « **Reply #5 on:** April 30, 2003, 10:14:36 AM »

I still have one of those Sharps replicas purchased about 1976 for $200.They were imported by Sile Distributors ,N.Y.C. A member of my gun club (at that time) worked there sorting out the lemons and repairing them so they could be sold. Mine has a modern Marble style rear sight adjustable for elevation and abead front sight in a dovetail. The came in all kinds of configurations. Mine is a shooter. I got five rounds in a cloverleaf at 50 yards using an RCBS 405 gr. bullet, 20 grs.4759 powder under a cork wad, all bullets and cases weighed to same specs. IT does not like factory ammo. It willshoot black powder loads. Also mine has a firing pin block safety ,a lever that flips aside. Shoot it till you get the right combination. Its a little light and sharp in the butt I use a shoulder pad but then these bones are getting older. Good luck with it. Horsefeathers

marlinman93 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 02, 2003, 06:54:00 PM »

These early Italian replicas from the late 1970's to early 1980's were superb guns! I had one also, and regret selling it because I thought it would be better to get an American made replica. Worst decision I ever made.
The early guns like your's, had wonderful finishes, with high quality wood, and cut checkering. The bluing was polished to a higher luster, unlike the more recent models with their matte black finished barrels, with rounded octagon flats.
Accuracy in my gun was also superb, and the only thing I could find negative about mine was that the firing pin did not hit centered on the primer, so on occasion it would misfire, but this was rare. A second strike would always touch it off.

Drifter721 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 02, 2003, 09:09:51 PM »

Marlinman93,

You are right on the money! Comparing this rifle with some of the current Pedersoli's at the range, this one has better wood, more figure and grain, and way better checkering. So far, it shoots very well too. I finally got the brass scope and mounts lined up like they should be, and shooting in the 10 ring at 100 yards with max loaded hunting loads (405 grain Rem JSP, over 48 grains of IMR3031). Those loads are for my Marlin Guide Gun, and that's all I had to test at the time. Going to work up some cast bullets this next week.

Guys, thank you for all the help! I'm happy with the rifle and plan to hold onto it for now.

rdnck · « **Reply #8 on:** May 03, 2003, 11:34:01 AM »

Drifter--That's really good news. The name of the game is fun, and in my experience, accurate barrels aren't necessarily made, they are found! It seems that you have found one,and in your Sharps you have a lot of fun ahead of you. Shoot straight, rdnck.

Tbaus · « **Reply #9 on:** August 07, 2003, 08:07:41 AM »

Mine is a tack driver. Mine too has the firing pin safety. Mine came with a tang apeture sight. The windage adjustment is a little hokey as you have to tighten and loosen opposing screws at the base. Once adjusted it stays, unfortunately it gets moved on the trip home and back again to the range, so I have to take 2-3 shots to get it perfect again. Fit and finish is beautiful. I will never part with mine. Good shootin'...