Five rounds with an 1863 Sharps Civil War cavalry carbine

I just like playing with guns and cameras. In this one I was way too optimistic with myself in the time it took to fire the five rounds, but it was fun doing it anyway. The actual time was one minute and 19 seconds instead of the 40 seconds I had estimated.

The rifle is an early Shiloh Sharps .54 caliber percussion cavalry carbine. I have the longer military rifle version as well, but this one is way cooler in some ways. If you saw the 1993 movie Gettysburg, you'll have seen Buford's Union cavalrymen firing these against Confederate infantry during the first day's fighting. Breech loaders like the Sharps, Smith, and Burnside carbines, and early repeaters like the Spencer and Henry made a huge difference on the battlefields of that day, since one man could fire as many as five times as many rounds in a given time as their Confederate adversaries.

And for those who inquired about my dog's health after the silenced M76 video, as you can tell, and as I explain, Hannibal simply likes the sound of gunfire. Search me why, but he does.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• sharps
• percussion
• rifle
• carbine
• civil
• war
• shiloh
• history
• culture
• documentary
• heritage

[multiplegunshots]

I've watched this video a dozen times and it has so inspired me that I've searched out a Shiloh Sharps Carbine and am waiting for it. Hopefully it will be here within the week. Thanks!

[LelandERay]

@multiplegunshots

That's the nicest thing anyone's said to me all week! Having the chance to create a new Sharps(shooter) is killer. Let me know if you need any guidance about making cartridges, etc. and let the seller know that he owes me a commission!

[multiplegunshots]

@LelandERay

Got the carbine today. A Farmingdale #17XX, it even came with the correct Rapine mold. I won't be able to fire up the lead pot until next week. The seller wasn't amused. Some people have no sense of humor.

[LelandERay]

@multiplegunshots I have a Shiloh "Buffalo Bullet" mould I'd trade for a Rapine ringtail mould.

If the carbine you got is on an auction site, I'd love to see it. Send me a private message with the details.

And what would he be unamused about?

[LelandERay]

@multiplegunshots Oh, about my commission. Sheesh, I had to try, right?

[lukemiller12]

I also have a question about the ammunition used. Do you make your own or buy them from somewhere?

[LelandERay]

@lukemiller12 I roll my own, as to my knowledge there is nowhere you can buy the ammo. I am currently using a pure lead 415-grain Minie bullet over 60 grains of powder, either FFG or American Pioneer, all of it contained in a tube made of 25 pound tracing paper, the bullet tied to the cartridge and the cartridge tail folded over just enough that the breech block shears it off on closing.

There are a couple of sources for nitrated paper, but it's expensive. I've a pretty good supply, however.

[Ben101JokerAshur86]

great gun in fablous condition

[jamesfarmer74]

This .54 caliber 1863 Sharps carbine replica would easily kill any deer or elk within 100 yards

with a well placed shot. Whether the deer is Whitetail, Mule Deer, or Blacktail (Pacific Northwest), or Rocky Mountain or Roosevelt elk (Pacific Coast) a well placed .54 caliber

bullet would drop any of them. It would be fun putting fresh venison or elk meat in the freezer

with such a historical black powder gun.

[InTheSticks0001]

Nice!

[lukemiller12]

Alright that's pretty cool... Thanks for the video!!!