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IAB Sharps Gardone

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Joined
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From Cody Wyoming, now lives in Oakwood Illinois
Have a chance to pick one up. It’s .54 cal. and is at a descent price and new. Was sort of thinking about it?

My problem is, I know absolutely nothing about these? Never shot a breech loading black powder rifle? Also wondering about ammunition? Building a cartridge??

I’m strictly a round ball shooter with the exception of mini’s for my 1861 Springfield, Zouave’s.

Thought I’d maybe try something new? Again, I know absolutely nothing when it comes to shooting a Sharps rifle or any other breech loader? Don’t know if it’s something I’d like or not?

I’d appreciate your input if you shoot these or know anything about what I’ve mentioned above. Would also like to hear the pro’s and con’s about this rifle or its type.

I’m in no hurry to by it! What information you share with me will be a factor in my decision. In the mean time I’ll continue to research.

Lets call this Sharps 101?

Enquiring minds want to know?

God Bless and Merry Christmas my friend’s!

Respectfully, Cowboy
 
I’m a Sharps shooter and have owned and shot percussion as well as metallic cartridge in a quite a few to include originals. Don’t buy an IAB Sharps either percussion or metallic cartridge.
To those that have them and are happy, I’m happy for you.
Now knowing Cowboy to be the type that likes nicer things that will work my advice is get another brand and enjoy a new adventure. Percussion Sharps can be loaded with loose bullets and powder or with a paper cartridge. Makeing the cartridges are simple. Cleaning is simple as well with soapy water then oiling. Accurate shooting can be done if you pay attention to details,same as any gun. You can even load a properly sized round ball from the breech with out a patch!
By the way I haven’t shot a Sharps since yesterday afternoon.
 
Friend of mine has an IAB Sharps and it shoots as well as my Pedersoli but that may be an anomaly as the I A B is well known as "It's Always Broken". But, if it's a really good deal it would get you into the genre without too much expenditure. Hahn tubes is the way to go.
 
I’m a Sharps shooter and have owned and shot percussion as well as metallic cartridge in a quite a few to include originals. Don’t buy an IAB Sharps either percussion or metallic cartridge.
To those that have them and are happy, I’m happy for you.
Now knowing Cowboy to be the type that likes nicer things that will work my advice is get another brand and enjoy a new adventure. Percussion Sharps can be loaded with loose bullets and powder or with a paper cartridge. Makeing the cartridges are simple. Cleaning is simple as well with soapy water then oiling. Accurate shooting can be done if you pay attention to details,same as any gun. You can even load a properly sized round ball from the breech with out a patch!
By the way I haven’t shot a Sharps since yesterday afternoon.

Thank you Phil.
You and I go back a ways. We’ve dealt and talked with each other on more than one occasion.

What you have to say carries great weight my friend. I appreciate your advice as always.

Thank you and Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Respectfully, Cowboy
 
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Friend of mine has an IAB Sharps and it shoots as well as my Pedersoli but that may be an anomaly as the I A B is well known as "It's Always Broken". But, if it's a really good deal it would get you into the genre without too much expenditure. Hahn tubes is the way to go.
Thank you my friend.

Respectfully, Cowboy
 
I would pass on it at any price. The best one, in my opinion is the Shiloh Sharps in .54 caliber. Also good is the Pedersoli, with some work so there is little or no gas cutting and the block works smoothly. Check the n-ssa.org site for more info.
 
Well, I don't see a real difference between mine, Pedersoli Sporting 59/63, and the IAB of guys I seen shooting with those rifles. I think that the only great difference is because I have a sporting long barrel and that the IAB are only short barrels cavalry model.
For making cartridge's it's very simple, cleaning also and the accuracy is also good in short range like 55 yards and the distance of 100 yards is not so good than with a Pedersoli (long barrel).
A bout cartridges you can use brass tubes after chock the moving plate but never do that without choke the moving plate: in this case the risk is that the brass tube may block the moving plate and the barrel together and so you can't disassemble them after shooting and then the IAB is dead. I don't like so much those brass tubes and they contain a smallest charge of BP than the paper or flax cartridges...
If that can help you (apologies for my language mistakes, but you can still read):



If the price and the condition are good you can I think take this weapon, of course it will never be a Shiloh but it depends on what you are looking for and what you want to do with...
In France there are a lot of Sharps IAB, perhaps because Italy is just across the border and the prices good.
 
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If the price is one that you can not pass it up, go for it, knowing that it might just scratch the itch for a year to two until you get a better one. Outside of that I would pass on it if it were me.

Fleener
 
Well, I don't see a real difference between mine, Pedersoli Sporting 59/63, and the IAB of guys I seen shooting with those rifles. I think that the only great difference is because I have a sporting long barrel and that the IAB are only short barrels cavalry model.
For making cartridge's it's very simple, cleaning also and the accuracy is also good in short range like 55 yards and the distance of 100 yards is not so good than with a Pedersoli (long barrel).
A bout cartridges you can use brass tubes after chock the moving plate but never do that without choke the moving plate: in this case the risk is that the brass tube may block the moving plate and the barrel together and so you can't disassemble them after shooting and then the IAB is dead. I don't like so much those brass tubes and they contain a smallest charge of BP than the paper or flax cartridges...
If that can help you (apologies for my language mistakes, but you can still read):



If the price and the condition are good you can I think take this weapon, of course it will never be a Shiloh but it depends on what you are looking for and what you want to do with...
In France there are a lot of Sharps IAB, perhaps because Italy is just across the border and the prices good.

Thank you my friend. Appreciate your time.
Respectfully, Cowboy
 
I have and IAB gemmer sharps 1874 in 45-70 that is an absolute tack driver.

Some are not so good, if your mechanically inclined and have some skill you can make them work.

Soft parts can be a problem (screws, springs ) but replacement parts are avail and other mfg. Parts may be adaptable.

I had to replace two lock screws and mainspring but now its very reliable.
 
Think I’m gonna pass on the IAB brand. Like I stated before, I’m in no hurry . Definitely don’t want something I might have to manipulate or tinker with to get it to work? Also don’t want to experience replacing parts as well.

I’ll continue to do more research and give Pedersoli or Shiloh a closer look in the mean time.

I appreciate everyone’s response’s. I’ll keep you updated if and when I do pick one up. I am interested though?

Thank you!

Respectfully, Cowboy
 
The Sharps is a lot of fun to shoot, along with my Hawken .45/.50 eg , two barrels I just love banging away with the Sharps. But I did it the hard way, I made my Sharps lock, stock and barrel.
 
I ha e 2 pedersoli 1874, one is rifle musket with 40-65 Sunny France custom barrel, other is 45-70 target ( pistolgrip) target model with pedersoli creedmore sights im going to sell as i dont shoot heavy guns anymore (bad shoulder).
 
Shilo made their absolute last run of percussion Sharps a couple of years ago. There will be no more ever according to them which leaves the pedersoli if a person wants new. There is a Shilo listed here:
https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/1863-50-cal-sharps-percussion-carbine-shiloh.117856/
Appreciate the link Hawkeye. I too have seen that add. Just not quite ready to lay down that amount yet? I’m sure it’s well worth it and it’s a beautiful rifle!

Just need to educate myself, go slow, and keep an eye out. Things just seem to work out best that way for me?

I’d personally like to shoot one and see if it’d be my cup of tea? Don’t know?

Anyway, when I attend the spring shoot at Friendship this coming year I’ll connect with others who are shooting them. Unfortunately, no one I shoot with shoots them? Pretty much flinter shooters!

I love both,caplock and flintlock. Definitely have a love affair with Hawken Rifles! In my blood I guess?

Going off topic so I’ll end by saying that a Sharps is definitely in my plans.

Respectfully, Cowboy
 
I had a Pedersoli Sharps .54 Infantry rifle a while back and it was an awesome rifle , I got scared off by reading about the gas cutting, leaking etc and sold it thinking I'd just get the same thing in 45-70 and just get a set of hand dies and load cartridges with Black.

I never got around to that but I'd like to, they're beautiful rifles but the paper cartridges seemed like a lot of work unless you are 100% interested in the historical aspect, vs enjoying shooting it. There was also the caution of loose powder getting under the forearm and "flashing " , splitting the wood but I don't know if this was kinda like revolvers chain firing, and rarely occurs.
 
BTW, Gardone is not a brand name. It is. correctly, Gardone Val Trompia, the location of the Italian national Proof House, where all civilian firearms are sent for proofing IAW the national law. Gardone is the major centre of gunmaking in Brescia, also famous in past times for the high quality of the steel produced there. Like Solingen in Germany, Toledo in Spain and Sheffield in England, Gardone has been famed for producing weapons for around 700 years.
 
BTW, Gardone is not a brand name. It is. correctly, Gardone Val Trompia, the location of the Italian national Proof House, where all civilian firearms are sent for proofing IAW the national law. Gardone is the major centre of gunmaking in Brescia, also famous in past times for the high quality of the steel produced there. Like Solingen in Germany, Toledo in Spain and Sheffield in England, Gardone has been famed for producing weapons for around 700 years.
Thanks for the education. Told ya I knew absolutely nothing?

Respectfully, Cowboy
 

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