Oh BOY I got a NEW TOY YE HAAAAAAAAAA

[Mason Stillwell]

Well it wont work for SASS but it is gonna be fun for me.

It is a Sharps Carbine . I think it is called an 1863 .  A paper cutter and has the saddle ring on the left side. When I get home tonight I'll get some photos of it.

Now I am in search of  a boolit mould and some nitrate paper along with some musket caps.

MERCY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sure is a pretty thing.( hey that is what I tell my wife also)

Mason ( Super Happy Camper) Stillwell

[Lucky Irish Tom]

Sounds like it's going to be fun, good on ya Mason.

[Dick Dastardly]

Dang Mason,

How'm I ever goin' to get pistol parity with ya?  Beware the pard with few guns, he may shoot 'em well. . . .

Good goin' Mason.  Post some photos.

DD-DLoS

[Steel Horse Bailey]

FUN!!!!! 

[Mason Stillwell]

As soon as I can get to be home for just one evening I'll post photos.

Dick come way out west and shoot with me sometime

Mason

[Dick Dastardly]

Thanks Mason,

I'll make that trip, soon as I can hang up my cameras.  I'm workin' on retiring and I want to do it while I have a few good miles left on my carcass.  I'll  come west and shoot with you and Chris and lots of other great pards I've come to know on the wire but have never had the pleasure of meeting in person.

I'll be bringin' my ROAs. . .

DD-DLoS

[Mason Stillwell]

Well they are not to good but I got them posted.

Mason

[Marshal Tac]

  That there looks like more fun than a basket full of puppies!

[Montana Slim]

Can't see the pics.....but 1863's were intended to use a linen cartridge that fit all the way into the chamber (no cutting...those were the earlier models). This allowed the gun to be readily loaded and unloaded. The orignals have the capability for disk priming (Laurence patent priming pellet), which made them as quick to reload as a metallic cartridge gun (til you ran out of the pellets). My experience has only been with originals.

best,
Slim

[Mason Stillwell]

Slim Thanks for the info. I know nothing about these guns. I did shoot one years ago. It was a hoot.
I really don't think mine has the disk feature you are talking about. It takes musket caps.


Could you post a photo of how the disk works??

Any info you would be willing to provide I would be greatly appreciated.

Oh yea what is the best boolit mould I am looking for one now.

Thanks Mason

[Dick Dastardly]

Whut caliber is she Mason?  What bullet is she traditionally loaded up with?

Sure looks good in photos.

DD-DLoS

[Mason Stillwell]

It is 54 cal. I have not slugged the barrel but a pard told me that they usally were .52 cal actually.

I will have to get a mould where I can tie the nitrate paper on to it.

Hope to find a light boolit like that. Recoil and my neck dont mix

Mason

[Sawdust Jim]

Hi Mason,
I've had my '63 rifle since the mid seventies and it is still one of my favorites! Apparently, there is quite a bit of variation between manufacturers and, even, within brands. Mine is an early Shiloh (ser. 11xx) and slugged out at .542". The 2 bullets that work for me are the Lee #90473 .54 Improved Minie and my favorite, the Dixie Gun Works #BU0903 .544 Sharps Bullet.

You "can" shoot it with loose powder behind the bullet but this will cause the gas check to corrode real quick. I make paper cartridges from tracing paper with a nitrated base. It's not hard but does take a little time.

Hope this helps,
Jim

[Ransom Gaer]

Hi Mason,

Nice carbine there.  I need to get me one of those.  I think that may have to be my Christmas present to me.

According to Frank Sellers' book "Sharps Firearms" most 1863 Model Sharps were .52 cal.  Apparently there were some Sporting Rifles that were also avialble in .44 cal.  The 1859 models which appear to be almost identical to the 1863 had more variation in caliber.  Some models being available in .52, .54 and .56 cal.  Pedersoli makes an 1859 Model Carbine.  That is what I really want.

On one thread on the SASS Wire about the Plainsman event I asked about paper cartridges being legal and the answer I got was Yes.  So if I actually get one I may try it for the Plainsman event.

Ransom Gaer

[Mason Stillwell]

Well Ransom I was thinking about mid range single shot event. Like at our club we have a 200 and 300  yard range.

Thanks pards for all the info. I am in search of a mould at this time. I think I can get the paper from Dixie.

Mason

[Mason Stillwell]

Hey Pards if anyone knows where I could get a mould that throws the BU 0903 bullet please let me know

Mason