1852 Slant-Breech Sharps

Published on December 14, 2014
Duration: 6:52

This review details the 1852 Slant-Breech Sharps rifle, an early black powder, breech-loading firearm. It highlights the lever-action mechanism, the challenges with gas sealing due to black powder fouling, and the innovative but only 80% reliable pellet primer system. The demonstration shows significant gas leakage upon firing, a common issue with these early designs.

Quick Summary

The 1852 Slant-Breech Sharps is an early breech-loading rifle using black powder and paper cartridges. It features a lever-action mechanism and a unique, though only 80% reliable, pellet primer system. A common issue was imperfect gas sealing, leading to noticeable leakage during firing.

Chapters

  1. 00:19Introduction to the 1852 Slant-Breech Sharps
  2. 01:25Action and Breech Mechanism Explained
  3. 03:16The Pellet Primer System
  4. 04:52Loading and Firing Demonstration

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of cartridges did the 1852 Slant-Breech Sharps rifle use?

The 1852 Slant-Breech Sharps rifle utilized black powder and paper cartridges. This design predates the use of more modern brass cartridges common in later firearm models.

What was a significant issue with the 1852 Slant-Breech Sharps rifle's action?

A primary issue with the 1852 Slant-Breech Sharps was the lack of a perfect gas seal in its breech mechanism. Black powder fouling often exacerbated this problem, leading to gas leakage during firing.

How reliable was the pellet primer system on the 1852 Sharps?

The pellet primer system on the 1852 Sharps was innovative, especially for cold weather, but it was only about 80% reliable. It automatically attempted to place a primer on the nipple as the hammer fell.

What is the barrel length of the 1852 Slant-Breech Sharps rifle?

The 1852 Slant-Breech Sharps rifle featured a full-length 36-inch barrel. This is longer than the carbine versions often encountered from the same historical period.

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