1874 Sharps Question

[mongo40]

I've been told not to open the lever on the sharps unless the hammer was at half cock, as it might damage the firing pin if the hammer is resting, made sence but I also got to thinking that firing pin is in the middle of the bore which is pretty good size an the hammer may not be touching as the block clears the bore, So which is it??? I know its Hollywood but watching Quigly he jacks it open several times not touching the hammer so got me to thinking about it. Thanks.

[Ray Newman]

Bring it to half cock; otherwise you risk breaking the firing pin.
 
Now having said that, the recently made Shiloh Sharps have a redesigned breech block that when lowered, will move the pin back.
 
I do not know when Shiloh Sharps made this design change, but probably it was about 5-7 years ago. Maybe longer....

[Ranch13]

 Always pull the hammer to half cock before lowering the breechblock on any Sharps design rifle. Failure to do so will if not break the tip off the firing pin bend it and set up a later break.
 
 Remember Quigley was a Hollyweird movie , and the don't believe half what you hear and none of what you see is a good thing to keep in mind.
 And the bulk of that movie was shot with either an aluminum or rubber molded look alike rifle.

[eastbank]

i,ll have to admitt i have loaded with out bringing the hammer to half cock, when reloading while hunting. but at the range i try to remember to do it. my 74 sharps is a pedersoli target model.eastbank.

[John Boy]

I am Polish!  And I do it the Polish way ... with the hammer NOT at half cock, drop the finger lever.
But carry an extra firing pin in the range box!

And for my other Polish friends, if the pin does breaks in half, load the round with the muzzle pointed towards the sky, close the lever and then gently lower the barrel to the shooting position.  It does work unless the end of the pin is somewhere on the range.  Learned this trick at Ridgway back in 2005 

Maybe what I'll do as a reminder - paint the back side of the hammer white.  Naw, in fact I'll do it right now ... Bye

[John Boy]

DONE- and when the paint dries, will write the word HALF on it.
 How's that for a Polish Invention?

[.22-5-40]

Hello, Mongo.  I don't own a 74' Sharps..but it seems to me, there is a small coil spring visiable under the firing pin striker assem. (the part the hammer hits).  Your right, in that as soon as the hammer nose clears this piece, the pin will be retracted.
   I DO own an Axtel (Riflesmith) Sharps in .40-70 2 1/2".  After I purchased it, I spoke with Tom Axtel about this same concern..he replied,"it will do no harm whatsoever..that pin is retracted as soon as hammer nose clears."
   The so-called 77" Sharps from Shilo, will break the pin if hammer is not half-cocked.