Bridgeport Sharps?

[Tubac]

I've been looking at a very confusing rifle. The octagonal barrel has OLD RELIABLE stamped in one flat. the calibre stamped in another flat and SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT, CONN in another. This doesn't seem to match the description in Frank Seller's
book for Bridgeport production.  Any one know of any modern companies that stamped the barrel this way? the number stamped on the tang is C11, which(if true)  would make the action be from a converted percusion carbine. 
I'm guessing it's a modern rifle but from whom? Verrrrry Interrrrresting.
Thanks,

Tubac

[Delmonico]

Can you get any pictures and post them?  If you don't know how to post them, just send them to me and I'll put them up.

[Tubac]

Here's photo 1, barrel stamping.
Tubac

[Tubac]

Photo 2 Basrrel stamping
Tubac

[Tubac]

Photo 3 tang stamping there is a faint "C" before the 11.
Tubac

[Tubac]

Photo of block, converted from percussion?
Tubac

[Tubac]

Photo of block, added safety arm that blocks the firing pin( I believe non- sharps)
Tubac

[Tubac]

Sorry about the photo quality, that's the best my camera could do.
The ejector arm is stamped 11, thats the only number internally. No military
proof stamps on action, or they've been buffed off.
Any help/opinions would be appreciated.

Tubac

[Delmonico]

I'm gonna hazard a guess and say it wasn't built by Sharps as we know them.  The wood from what I can see looks like European Walnut, maybe on a fancy presintation rifle, but not likely on a working rifle.  Also, I may be wrong but I think Sharps would have stamped it 45-2.6-550.


We'll see if anyone else has any ideas.

[Tubac]

Delmonico,
The wood is definately too new looking. If the action/barrel are real, then it's been restocked. The question is,are the action/barrel real?
The stampings on the barrel are the only ones on the rifle. I couldn't find a photo of "Sharps Bridgeport" stamps in the Sharps book.
I was thinking, if the barrel is legit Sharps, maybe it's a Meacham conversion?
Do you think the barrel could be legit?
Thanks,
Tubac

[Pitspitr]

Tubac,
There are some fairly good photos in Venturino' Buffalo rifle book. The words "Old Reliable" should be inside a clipped corner box on the top flat on Bridgeport Sharps. Also I'm reasonalby sure instead of saying .45-100-550 it would just say .45 or possibly  .45 2 6/10. The font used on yours appears to be wrong too.
Double check with someone who's handled more original Sharps' than I have but I'm fairly sure you have a reproduction.

[Tubac]

Pitspitr,
Thanks, I thought it was a repro. I wonder who made it?
Do folks "de-farb" these like some do with repro Civil War weapons?
Thanks,
Tubac

[St. George]

They do...

I seem to remember one of the importers - Dixie, EMF or IAR - had these when the 'Sharps mania' first hit, but it's been a long time, and I wasn't impressed when I first saw it, so I didn't pay any real attention.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Tubac]

Gents,
The rifle in question appears to be an IAB model 1866 deluxe sport. I 've heard that they were sold as kits or could be made up from parts  and as such were unmarked as to manufacturer.
Tubac