This attractive Sharps rifle, by Davide Pedersoli, is offered as used with some minor handling marks on the stock and barrel. Stocked in a straight grain walnut the rifle has a 31-3/4" tapered octagon barrel, chambered for the popular .45-70 Government cartridge. The bore is bright and has been well maintained. The rifle is fitted with a Pedersoli beech's front sight and Pedersoli 3" mid range tang sight with Hadley eye disk. The 1874 Sharps Rifle is a favorite rifle for long range black powder cartridge shooters. This 11.7 pound rifle is an excellent choice for shooting iron silhouettes, buffalo matches, and steel gongs at 400 and 600 yards. The weight is a great advantage when shooting from a rest, and it greatly reduces recoil. This rifle it qualifies for FFL transfer and can be picked up by a Minnesota resident, or it must be shipped to a FFL dealer in another state. Trigger reach is 14" for todays average size shooter. Weight is 10.8 pounds.
Chambered in the popular caliber, 45-70 Government, we strongly prefer black powder handloads, and especially the 500 grain original U. S. Army - Frankfort Arsenal bullet, now known as the Lyman 457-125 bullet. You can easily assemble your own cartridges using our inexpensive reloading tools and molds. We recommend 500 grain cast lead alloy bullets, lubed with SPG lubricant, over our thin card wad. The matte blued 31-3/4" barrel is fitted with beach's front sight that can be flipped between a globe with a bead head post or a blade. The factory rear sight has been removed and the dovetail filled with a blank, and the screw holes filled with screws. A Pedersoli mid range Vernier tang sight with 3" of elevation adjustment, and windage adjustment is fitted to the tang. The staff is fitted with a Hadley eye disk. The Hadley eye disk rotates through a number of different apertures to suit different light conditions. The left oblique flat of the barrel is marked Dixie Gun Works Inc. Union City TN in one line. The caliber markings are on the bottom flat ahead of the forearm.
This Sharps Rifle is stocked in straight grain walnut. The stock is shaped with a straight grip and fitted with a checkered plastic buttplate. The stock has a few minor handling marks. Architectural details include the semi-circular flat on the walnut forend, in front of the action. Our bottom view shows the color case hardened lever. Notice the tiny lug at the front of the lever, which stops the lever while the extractor is seated. Press the lever slightly forward, while open. This over-travel causes the extractor to snap rearward, ejecting the fired cartridge. The walnut forend has a traditional Schnabel tip.
The receiver, hammer, lever, and triggerplate are all color case hardened. The left side of the receiver is marked with various proof marks. The 1874 Sharps lock action is smooth and crisp, this rifle is using a 1863 tumbler and has the half cock notch well above the firing pin. A fly detent in the tumbler insures perfect action and fast lock time, when using the set trigger. The double set trigger has double levers allowing you to cock the lock, or set the trigger, in any sequence. When fired from the front trigger alone, trigger release is a normal 2 to 3 pounds. When fired with the rear trigger set, the front trigger release may be adjusted to nearly zero, using the set screw between the triggers. We strongly recommend using these set triggers for dry fire practice, which is perfectly harmless, provided that the hammer is fully down, not at the half-cock safety notch. Dry firing, at a small black dot on a white piece of paper, each evening, is the best way to develop skills, practice follow-through, and to eliminate the tendency to flinch during recoil.
This rifle will require load development, and fine tuning, for serious target competition. We enjoy casting bullets, hand loading black powder cartridges, and enjoyable afternoons at our local 100, 200, 400, and 600 yard range. If you enjoy shooting, recording results, and creating loads, order this rifle, today. Order it for a ten day visual inspection. You will be delighted. Else if it does not fit you, return it in unfired condition for same-day refund. Postage is your only risk, when you order any one-of-a-kind gun from Track, whether new, used, or antique.
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SPG Black Powder Cartridge Reloading Primer,
revised 9th edition, 20 plus new pages
by Mike Venturino & Steve Garbe
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Track's best Black Powder BORE CLEAN Solvent, with flip-top spout
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Bore mop, 100% Cotton, for .45 caliber, 10-32 thread, washable
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Bore brush, bronze, for .45 caliber, 10-32 thread
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Cartridge Case,
.45-70 Government,
unprimed brass,
correct head stamp,
2.1", by Starline,
each piece, no minimum order
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CASE-45-70
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Price:
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$0.60
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Special Restrictions Apply
Not available for export outside the U.S.A.
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Cartridge Case,
.45-70 Government,
unprimed brass,
correct head stamp,
2.1", by Starline,
50 pieces
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Special Restrictions Apply
Not available for export outside the U.S.A.
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Cartridge Case,
.45-70 Government,
unprimed brass,
correct head stamp,
2.1", by Starline,
100 pieces
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Special Restrictions Apply
Not available for export outside the U.S.A.
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Neck Expander Plug,
.458" diameter,
to fit our
Lee 7/8-14 die
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Neck Expander Plug,
.459" diameter,
to fit our
Lee 7/8-14 die
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Jag, jagged cleaning tip, brass, .45 caliber, 3/8 rod, 8-32 thread
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LEE Loading Dies,
caliber .45-70 Gov't,
including shell holder
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LEE Neck Expander Die,
7/8-14 thread,
for our neck expander plugs
or powder compression plugs,
each sold separately
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Shell holder, #8, by LEE, for 38-56, 40-65,& 45-70 to .45-120
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SPG Bullet Lubricant,
one 1-1/4 ounce stick, for Black or Smokeless Powder
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Bullet Mold,
.457" diameter, 500 grain bullet mold,
single cavity steel mold blocks,
by Lyman
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Bullet Mold,
.457" diameter, 535 grain bullet mold,
single cavity steel mold blocks,
by Lyman
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Case Lube,
2 oz. bottle, by Lyman
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Case Lube Pad,
by Lyman
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Lyman Three Die Set,
for .45-70 Government
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Handles for large mold blocks,
by Lyman,
fits all current single and double cavity molds
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.458" Sizing & Lube die,
by Lyman
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.459" Sizing & Lube die,
by Lyman
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Shell holder #17,
by Lyman,
fits .40-65 & .45-70 to .45-120
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