Pedersoli 1859 Sharps Infantry Rifle First Look

Pedersoli Model 1859 Sharps Infantry Rifle is a breechloading, lever-actuated, falling block single shot rifle.
It was invented in 1848 by Christian Sharps. The first Sharps rifles had a breech block that slanted to the rear. These guns were made from 1850 until 1859.
The Model 1859 Sharps was the first to use a straight breech block, which proved to be a stronger design. Sharps made 100,000 of all variations.
Larry Flees Modifications:
1. Replace floating chamber with press-in fixed chamber.
2. Replace Gas-Check plate with a new plate designed by Larry.
3. Replace the Pedersoli vent in the breech block with a stainless steel Flash Cone.
4. Replace the Pedersoli clean-out screw with a longer, better fitted clean-out screw.
5. Replace factory nipple with an Ampco nipple.
6. Replace factory front sight with higher sight blade
Larry Flees [e-mail] Phone: [phone]
Mike Beliveau links:
Patreon - / duelist
Website - mikebeliveau.com/

[@Stevenyoung100]

Bob Ross of pre 1900s guns. I watch everyday sir.

[@ConductorDon]

Its a great rifle. I would like to have one someday to deer hunt with. Personally though, had I been a civil war sharpshooter, my rifle of choice would have been the Whitworth. Being a breechloader, a sharps has an obvious ROF advantage over it, but when it came to making shots at 500 plus yards, nothing beat a whitworth in terms of precision. The handful of Confederate sharpshooters that were good enough to be awarded one pulled off crazy shots at unheard ranges at the time. John Sedgewick was taken out by a Whitworth from over a mile away at Spotsylvania.

[@geoluc2357]

I don't understand why people dislike your videos! Great job as always! Greetings from France 🇨🇵🇺🇲🇨🇵🇺🇲🇨🇵🇺🇲🇨🇵🇺🇲🇨🇵🇺🇲🇨🇵🇺🇲

[@jefferythomas4414]

Lol, You scared the hell out of me sitting here At 18:05 the way you say "Alright". Thanks for what you do Mike.

[@earlblackjackmartinjr5750]

I absolutely agree with you having this rifle modified. Im not partial to flames in my face either.

[@benjaminjarrett9816]

I am so grateful you did a video on the sharps, I bought pedersoli’s sharps cavalry carbine this year and was disappointed to find very few videos about these guns on KZbin. You are doing us a great service, thank you.

[@jackwagonhoedown4114]

I have dug up ring tail Sharps bullets on my property in West Tennessee. It was the site of a Civil War battle in 1862…

[@oasis6444]

I just love that video in term of both content and it’s progression. Can’t wait for an update, once you’ve been able to make the right cartridges. Thanks.

[@BillyJ244]

Another awesome video. I don't know why anyone would dislike your videos. Bill from Cleveland Ohio.

[@blackpowderfirearmenthusia3194]

This is my favorite rifle of all time. And I have been very excited when i found out that you would be doing videos on your KZbin channel on the Pedersoli 1859 Sharps carbine. Your videos are always very good and interesting and I learn a great deal from them. Thank you for sharing and for your incredible channel.

[@dickdowdell5813]

Great video, Mike! I've been a Sharps rifle shooter for years (.32-40 Winchester) and you couldn't ask for a gun more fun to shoot. The cartridge was a handloading and bullet casting proposition, which added to the fun. Turned the rifle over to my grandson a few years ago. It's great to watch you young fellows carry on the tradition. By the way, when I was shooting a percussion Sharps, I used to perforate the base of the cartridge with 10 or so sewing needle holes fine enough to keep the FFG powder from leaking out. Worked great. I nitrated the paper for the cartridges solely so it would fully combust and leave no half-burnt paper in the bore.

[@michael.w.salter]

Thanks for the history lesson Mike. That would have been an interesting weapon to use, especially in a rainstorm. Great video.

[@ThePaudiaz]

A very informative video. You offered a lot of insight into how the gun worked. The parts where you explained how the bullets failed to fire because the bases of the paper cartridges were too thick or because the caps weren't strong enough, were two of the best parts. My mum and I always enjoy your videos and hope you go on making more videos. Watching you, we always learn something new.

[@KRRabbit1]

Mike, the 1859 Sharps is one of my favorite rifles. I went with Charlie Hann, he made my conversion, he sells cardboard tubes to make up the cartridges. The backs of the cartridges use hair curler paper, and the flame of the cap goes right through! I use a Moose mold bullet, they call it a Christmas tree mold, because of the rebated lower ring at the base of the bullet. These rifles can shoot!

[@Hickok]

KKRabbit, same here,.... I sent my Pedersoli Sharps Berdan to Charlie Hahn, use his tubes and also bought the Christmas tree mold from Moose molds. Nitrated hair curler paper works, (Use Spectricide Stomp Remover pellets to nitrate) and also Cigarette rolling paper works well on the end of the Hahn tubes. These Pedersoli Sharps rifle are very accurate when loaded correctly.

[@jasondyer110]

I really enjoyed your video. Thanks for putting it out. Have a great day looking forward to your next one.

[@1straightcut]

As usual, I really enjoyed this video! Thanks for "taking us along" on your journey with your beautiful Sharps!

[@brianmcgilp8519]

Great job Mike. You hit the nail on the head by describing the "mechanical" aspect of the Sharps being one of the reasons that arms of the period are so much fun.

[@Navyguy0023]

Thanks for taking us along! Great Video!

[@Navyguy0023]

Any thoughts on showing us about the nitrated paper?

[@duelist1954]

@@Navyguy0023 I worked out the cartridge bugs, and I'll do a video in about a month. I hope all will be answered by that one.

[@Vagabond671]

By far, this is my favorite video format. History of the gun with shooting footage as well. Keep the great work!

[@Rumblestrip]

Took me a year to dial in dies and molds for my 45-110 Shiloh. I understand the frustration Mike. Hang in there lol. Sharps Rifles are worth the effort and tinkering. Lol i haven't messed with a paper cutter yet...but its on my list. 😁

[@rogerharris8081]

Keep us updated. Wonderful historical information on the Sharps falling block and I know what you mean when you say they are so mechanical!

[@scoutdogfsr]

Beautiful rifle and one fine looking uniform.

[@kennethbrantley9582]

I love the way you're a teacher and having we're all having fun!

[@rick0596]

I like these kinds of videos. The history of the guns ext. Keeps it interesting Thanks Mike

[@aaronsanborn4291]

The Sharps series of rifles/carbines are still some of the best ever.

[@stevenquick4315]

I love my 1859 too. You can use cigarette paper, tea bag paper, or curling paper for the base. No need for nitrate unless you just enjoy the process. Eras Gone changed the game for paper cartridge making. Great video Mike, keep at it.

[@Matthew_Percival]

I know this video is old, but I personally don't need an intro to the sharps rifle... I just love that gun. I can't wait to get mine.

[@mikeks8181]

Nice and Simple Video. If you are not learning from your mistakes? Then you are Not Learning ! Thank You for another Wonderful Video

[@Hazeltonpeakroad]

Had the 54 Sharps many years ago. Great shooter, but as you put, there were some issues with gas leakage. Shot great out to about 200-250 yards. Not a tack driver but it was minute of elk. Great video as usual. Have yet to be disapointed with any of your videos. Look forward to all new videos. Keep up the good work.

[@eljeffe1815]

I bought a used Pedersoli 1863 sporter. Learned how to make the flat bottom cartridges with the tissue paper base. Works really well to my surprise. Pedersoli O-ring does the job. I use receipt paper, glue sticks, Elmer's and super glue for the bullets. So far shot 50-60 rounds. One problem is it will foul up at 20+ rounds. I got it once to 28 before it became too fouled. One thing I added was start the load at 15 grains 3f at the base and then fill the rest with 2f. Almost never miss fires.

[@sergei_1863]

Larry is a great guy! He's helped me with my 1863 carbine

[@guilfordbarnhill6410]

Your journey on the sharps is what I like about this sport. It’s a process of learning and testing that keeps my interest alive and gets me back to the range over and over again. Great video Mike Texas Gil

[@meclazine]

Great history lesson. Thanks.

[@jerryroesener5937]

Larry fixed my Sharps .45. it works great. And fun to shoot

[@Nostrildomus]

This is the most fun I've seen you have on the range . Me Too

[@Nostrildomus]

P.S. I know there are many kinds of paper but one most don't consider Rice paper . Don't know about now but fifty years ago different thicknesses could be ordered down to see through . Don't take no shot ; -)

[@robertfarrow4256]

Lots of fun! Loved the video and the cicadas were an historic touch.

[@burnsboysaresoldiers]

Heck yes! Mike this is easily my favorite civil war rifle! And definitely one of the single shot breech loaders I desperately want. Especially for deer season! Especially because it’s the rifle of the Pennsylvania Bucktails. May have been raised in NC but never forgot my Pa roots

[@centauri9458]

Talking about using one for deer. Didnt the army used to issue paper cartridges filled with birdshot for the soldiers to supplement their rations with wild game? That would be pretty cool to have an option of hunting deer or squirrels and rabbits also.

[@burnsboysaresoldiers]

@@centauri9458 idk about that, I don’t see that being really needed because smoothbores were still in serious use during the civil war so shot would have been practical to keep for the muskets not the very expensive Sharps infantry rifles (four times the cost of a rifle musket) The Springfield 1842 smoothbore musket was probably the 3rd most popular infantry arm of the war, behind the Springfield 1861 and the British Enfield.

[@centauri9458]

@@burnsboysaresoldiers I was mistaken I remembered watching a show on history of the US Army after the Civil War in the 1870s. They were carrying the Springfield trapdoor 45-70 they were issued boxes of forager rounds to help feed them on marches. It had a wooden bullet with birdshot. I thought it was the older guns. I think the Henry Repeaters were too expensive, I remember hearing that if Custer's 7th had been carrying repeaters like the natives were they wouldve probably got out alive. It just took them too long to reload. If I were going to carry a falling block I would make paper forager rounds and try them.

[@burnsboysaresoldiers]

@@centauri9458 idk if anything would have saved custers battalion lol. I did see on forgotten weapons that western forts would be issued trapdoor Springfield’s converted to 20gauge for game. Apparently they were well loved and used.

[@centauri9458]

@@burnsboysaresoldiers does seem that Springfields were versatile. Probably right, they were quite outnumbered. Atleast they didnt have a train of settlers wagons with them. Was warriors against warriors.

[@tberkoff]

Videos like these are why I love your channel. No one does content like this. Thanks Mike.

[@randyzwieg8467]

Twenty odd years ago I had the privilege of handling a 63 sporting model in beautiful condition, including the bore. Wow. A few years later I handled a well worn Hall percussion carbine at a gunshow. Didn't know the connection there. But the odd tingle that goes up your spine tells you about the power of history.

[@kevinroberson1985]

P.S I always wanted a Sharpe's replica but never could afford one. I like the one like you have one the video. That's so cool. I'm 60 years old now and still love guns. I hope and pray to get one like that but I have some expenses to pay and funerals are not cheap. I lost my son and I'm on disability so I will probably never get a Sharpe's replica rifle. So I have to take care of something I never expected to happen. I always thought children put there parents away when then time comes. With my income of 900 dollars a month and land and home it's pretty hard to make it here . Love your shows and take care Mr. Mike and God bless you and your family

[@matthiasknabner4509]

Have you tried teabag-paper for the endcap? That's what I like to use when I make paper cartridges. The very light paper offers almost no resistance to the flash, no need to nitrate this.

[@COIcultist]

My other though is cigarette rolling paper which is very fine but strong. The French brand Job is even made from hemp for strength. I presume this paper is already nitrated, like tobacco is. A second wash of a saltpetre solution might help.

[@samiam619]

@@COIcultist BUT… cigarette paper burns different than nitrated paper.

[@COIcultist]

@@samiam619 Sorry, isn't it nitrated to accelerate its burn, like tobacco is?

[@wildrangeringreen]

@@COIcultist tobacco isn't nitrated lol... cigarette paper is nitrated paper lol... tobacco (or paper for that matter) doesn't like to stay lit/burn fast, the nitrated paper keeps it burning without you having to puff on it frequently (such as the case with a pipe or cigar)

[@COIcultist]

@@wildrangeringreen Just tried to look up "Nitration of tobacco" and found nothing which might suggest you are right, but years ago I worked with someone who was experimenting with growing his own tobacco. He had dried the leaves but was saying he needed to get some saltpetre (potassium nitrate) to make into a solution with milk and brush on the leaves to accelerate burning. So if it is used in amateur curing but not in professional curing, I have no idea. Conversely, the bloke I was working with might have been dealing with erroneous information. Thanks for making me better informed.

[@daveyjoweaver6282]

Loved this video Mike with your lovely Sharps! The cicadas in the background only added to the beautiful setting! I do understand what you’re saying about these 19th century firearms. The mechanics is the very appealing aspect for myself compared to modern firearms. And when you think of all the processes involved in making these guns and earlier flintlocks, well they are truly works of art. Kind Thanks and Many Blessings! DaveyJO in Pennsylvania

[@seanwalker6460]

This is a great presentation, because it is real, interesting and looks fun to shoot. Thank you.

[@garyshaimas7250]

I use to shoot black powerd win I was a yourgter watching you shoot ya I like it I’ll be come over to your channel more often .I like that rifle you have who noes I get back in to it GOD Bless happy hunting

[@johnnyholland8765]

I had one in 54 that was made by Sile and had the same problems so I finally sold it. Might get another one one day...

[@cannoneer155mm]

Great stuff, When I still had a Farmingdale .50 Sharps Carbine I used "Linen" nitrated cartridges. I used a square piece if silicone lens paper to seal the bottom of the tube I had made. They worked well with BP, but, not so much with R/S Pyrodex. I had to adjust my technique by putting 10 grains of 4Fg up against the lens paper cap ang then charge the cartridge with my load of R/S Pyrodex. That 10 grains of 4Fg acted like a booster to light off the R/S Pyrodex. Agin, you do great work.

[@TheVonhollan]

Thank you for your insight and sharing with use threw the learning curve, I really enjoyed the history lesson on the gun.

[@daviddiffenderfer6963]

Mike is nice to no u from Pennsylvania also because I live in lititz maybe one day I can shoot with u

[@knallis.hjemmelading]

I really love this interesting and informative videos that you do,thank you sir

[@jamesa.7604]

Very nice looking rifle. I like the blue bib shirt too.

[@wganz]

Thanks for enabling me to get one for N-SSA.

[@Calypso1222]

Oooo! Nice!

[@Calypso1222]

That's a beautiful rilfe

[@randyivie359]

Hi Mike , i very much enjoyed the video of the Sharps rifle . You pretty much answered everything i didn’t know about the rifle . So thanks !!

[@tacoman5940]

Damn Mike looking sharp with that Sharp's Pedersoli keep up the good work

[@christophermccormick2714]

Great video, Mike - I love your work! And bring us some more sword videos, please!

[@jamesellsworth9673]

This video was SO FINE in its history and experimental ballistics that I RESUBSCRIBED to your channel!

[@mikefisher4725]

Great video Mike!

[@ditzydoo4378]

Good video, What I do with my Flees modified Sharpe's when loose loading is to premeasure my power and place the charges into individual plastic capped viles/tubes. These are the type of Viles/Tubes florists use and fill with soapy water for blowing bubbles. I simply snip-off the bubble wand from the flanged plastic cap and she's ready to go. The viles will hold about 100 grains of powder. I place the bullet into the breech and push it forward to engage the chamber throat. I keep the muzzle straight up, pull the top off a vile and insert it into the chamber about half way. I then tip the muzzle down, empty the vile and remove it without losing any powder.

[@jamesconner244]

I have always loved the sharps line of rifles. Nice piece, and good luck with the ammo.

[@gregscott5826]

Great video. You and Target Suite are 2 of my favorite guntubers. I like the way you both show the problems and then come up ways to fix the issues and then show us the results. I have owned both the '59 and '74 Sharps replicas. I loved shooting the '74. Never shot the '59 before I sold it. Now I really regret that. Wish I still had them both. Keep up the awesome work you're doing and have a very blessed day!

[@rjoetting7594]

I met a gentleman at a gunshow in Wichita Kansas back in 1998 or 1999 not sure exactly, but he had a percussion sharps in 50 caliber that was chambered to take a 50-90 sharps, he explained that you had to open up the flash hole in the case then he would stuff a wad of paper into it and load the cartridge with black powder and a fiber wad, then the bullets were pressed in by hand. Pulling the paper wad out load the cartridge normally place a musket cap on and fire. No extractor so would carry a small screwdriver to pry the case's out. No problems with ignition and a excellent gas seal. He said it was custom ordered from Shiloh sharps.

[@earlshaner4441]

Hi from Syracuse NY brother and thank you for sharing your thoughts and adventures on the shooting range

[@jameswilson1407]

Cool rifle Mike look forward to your range T & E.

[@notsosilentmajority1]

Great job Mike.. Thanks for taking us on your journey. The education is extremely interesting and valuable. I really enjoy the drawings of the internals on the old firearms. Can't wait to see your finished ammo and what the rifle can actually do.

[@pacanis]

Excellent video! It brought back all the frustrations I had when I got my 1859 a little over a year ago. Let me try to sum up some things if I recall right. I used rolling/cigarette papers for the back. New CCI caps are crap. I found some RWS and they are the real deal. Supposedly a step up from what you were using, but what you were using is still way above new CCI's. All one needs to do is take the breech block out, set it on a deck rail, put a cap on the nipple and hold a piece a paper over the flash hole... then set the cap off with a brass hammer. You'll see what cap penetrates the paper you are using for the base. Beveling (and indexing) the clean out screw is a big deal. It and the RWS caps gave me 95% ignition without having to pierce the paper cartridge like you were. But I did have to make the clean out screw longer than what came with the rifle before I could bevel it. As it came, it barely indexed the brass flash hole. Which was also part of the problem. And drill out the flash hole. I don't remember the size, but it's on the web. Not much bigger, just a little bigger. No flames or gas leaking on my new Pedersoli 1959. BUT, I'm lucky to get ten shots out of it. It seems like Jim's mods allows for more shots anyway. Which is important to a reenactor. I stopped dipping bullets and started lubing the grooves by hand. Rub a piece of lube into the the groove and smooth it out with a finger. I could not get consistent bullet seating with all that lube on the whole bullet. But I'm still using the OEM floating chamber. And Christmas tree bullets. I can get seven shots into basically one hole at 50yds using a Malcolm scope, then things start to foul. that's off a bench of course. Just some stuff to try. You the man when it comes to BP, but I felt like I was watching a video of myself last year, lol. BTW, when you were shooting in your T shirt at the end the rifle seemed so much darker. I really need to "vintage" mine. Not a fan of Pedersoli's stain choice.

[@dphillips4351]

Just picked up a Shiloh sharps infantry rifle today for 1400.00 dollars that had never been fired. Now I’ll work up some loads.

[@olebluedog6699]

I have had a 1859 sharps since the mid 80's its a reproduction made in farmdale NY I have had none of the problems of the Italian reproductions but i was told to pack the breach face recess with bore butter used Crisco back in the day. I don;t remember who told me this but it works great.

[@prsearls]

That was an interesting account of Christian Sharp's history of the 1859 Sharps. I have the 1874 model and intend to sight-in a new sight next week.

[@johndilday1846]

A very beautiful rifle. I look forward to seeing you get it worked out and dialed in.

[@rdh6932]

Nice uniform, goes great with the Sharps.

[@TheMountainman211]

Always top notch , I really like how you do a detailed "lesson " with each firearm

[@joelerk6298]

You always make videos on things I want to try/buy lol

[@Tradesman1156]

Can't wait to see the video on building the cartridge!

[@earlblackjackmartinjr5750]

Friend im giving you an A+ and 5 stars for your patience. I would have not shared your enthusiasm as I am impatient. I use muzzle loaders to hunt with but rifle season I get my 4570 Buffalo classic or lever gun. Have fun neighbor, I enjoyed the video especially that fart of the 1st shot.

[@MrRedbeard762]

Excellent and honest review, Thank you.

[@mikel5153]

I really enjoyed this video. Thank you..I just got a sharps..hope to learn more from you

[@WhiskeyRiverRifleman]

Great video Mike! That is one nice rifle

[@duybear4023]

Good to see practical problem solving at work. Keep up the good work.

[@mikesmithg0rfd356]

thank you

[@Tammy-un3ql]

Thanks

[@karsonbranham3900]

You can sure hear the attack of the cicadas! Nice rifle and great video!

[@idahoredneck2111]

Oh man my grandad gave me a 1863 sharps rifle its a family heirloom from the Civil War. So cool to see somthing like it in action. The wierd thing about it is it has this mechanism on the hammer, where it has a spring loading ejector that would shoot out a cap has the hammer fell.

[@howardtaylor9109]

Love the rifle and all that you do. Maybe one day I'll be able to get my own Sharps military rifle. Looking forward to the next part of your journey in the Sharps, Thanks for all the 'Cool" Old School you do.

[@GaryED44]

Lots of good info on the sharps. I'd seen earlier stuff on a rifle that cut the end of the cartridge but didn't know which one it was. Can't wait for the next video thanks Mike

[@georgemannsr8708]

Great Video Mike !

[@tomcleave308]

Hurray! I love that thing, thanks...

[@MrKmoconne]

Periodic cicada (17 year cicada) singing in the back ground. Hear you again in 17 years!

[@marctric]

Hi Mike. Your videos really "make my day". So much, history, technical stuff, and FUN at the same time. Thanks for your efforts and thanks for sharing.

[@robaldridge6505]

you can pierce the seated cartridge or add a small piece of nitrated paper to the breech end of your tracing paper cartridge

[@henryofskalitz2228]

My dream rifle.

[@Glrk10]

I use the Dixie gun works kit for making the cartridges. The bottom of the cartridge, the base “cup”, I make with cigarette paper. They work great.

[@453421abcdefg12345]

An excellent result! I think this is case for using the Flash Paper that H&C Collection in France produces, I find it cures all the ignition problems and burns up completely leaving no smouldering embers in the chamber, I like the background music of Cicadas singing you have there. Chris B.

[@jesseholmes8759]

Your channel is going to prove expensive for me.. Love the content, keep up the great work

[@jkrause365]

Nicely done. Can't wait to see how the rifle works once you get the cartridges figured out. Looking forward to more.

[@Is..4110]

It really is a beautiful rifle..

[@chitinakennicott7045]

Great video. I have my great grandfathers sharps 54 cal. Rifle he carried in the civil war. . Never knew how it was loaded or if you could load without a paper bullet.. great history ind info. Thanks

[@wildrangeringreen]

good heavens, how old are you? my great-grandfather was born in 1895 lol. my great-great-great-grandfather was born in Bavaria in 1845-46, fought in the Austro-Prussian war, and then immigrated to the US in '69.

[@gregggibson3109]

Beautiful rifle, good history lesson…can’t wait to see you get it dialed in. I salute your patience and persistence, as well as, your love for these weapons. Thanks for sharing!

[@gunslingerfromwish4656]

I want one so badly...

[@jwkennington]

Nice to see the Duelist Tortoise make an appearance. Good video, Mike. I have always just used paper cartridges. Of course, I didn't modify my Garrett, so it works fine that way. I guess I was lucky. My Garrett doesn't leak bad at all. I look forward to the nitrated experiments.

[@RustyNail5856]

Nice video. a lot of info, but i thought you can use brass amo also ?. keep up the great videos.