Pedersoli 1859 Sharps Infantry Rifle
Davide Pedersoli & C. · Rifle · In Production
Also known as: 1859 Sharps Infantry 30", Pedersoli Model S760 Sharps Infantry
Overview
The Pedersoli 1859 Sharps Infantry Rifle is a modern black-powder reproduction of the Christian Sharps falling-block breech-loading percussion rifle used during the American Civil War. Built by Davide Pedersoli of Gardone Val Trompia, Italy, it fires a .54-caliber paper cartridge ignited by a percussion cap and features a 760 mm round barrel held by bands, a case-hardened action, an American walnut stock with patch box, and a Lawrence-pattern rear sight. It is popular with historical reenactors, muzzle-loading competitors, and black-powder hunters.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4300 g (151.7 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1190 mm (46.85") |
| Barrel Length | 760 mm (29.92") |
| Action Type | Falling Block |
| Firing Mechanism | Percussion |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 300 m/s (984 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 729 J (538 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 1200 mm (47.24") |
| Number of Grooves | 7 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Case Hardened |
Calibers
- .54 Caliber Percussion (Paper Cartridge) · primary — also known as .54 caliber, .54 ball, 54-caliber percussion
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot Breech
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Breech Loading Falling Block, Paper Cartridge, Patch Box, Lawrence Pattern Rear Sight, Barrel Bands, Single Set Trigger
Service history
Conflicts
- American Civil War (1861-1865)
Production
Current-production reproduction; the original Sharps Model 1859 was produced by the Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company from 1859.
Origin
Country of origin: Italy
Designer: Christian Sharps
Notes
Chambered for the .54-caliber paper cartridge; the falling breech-block is dropped by the trigger-guard lever to load. Sold in the United States through distributors such as Taylor's & Co. and the Italian Firearms Group.
Background
The original 1859 Sharps rifle armed elite Union units such as Colonel Hiram Berdan's U.S. Sharpshooters, whose accurate breech-loading fire earned the design a fearsome reputation; the word 'sharpshooter' is popularly, if apocryphally, linked to the Sharps name.