Model Vehicle User Manual

CLEANING:

Due to the corrosive nature of black powder, it is imperative that your Sharps rifle or

carbine be thoroughly cleaned after each shooting session. It may also be

necessary to swab the barrel periodically after a few shots to maintain accuracy.

After field stripping the gun, the action maybe be cleaned using warm soapy water or

a quality black powder solvent. The barrel should also be cleaned to remove any

fouling. After the gun is thoroughly cleaned, it should be lubricated with quality gun

oil.

One area of the Sharps action that requires special attention when cleaning is the

gas check plate located on the front face of the breech block. The purpose of this

plate is to seal the rear of the chamber when the powder is ignited. If the gas check

plate is not removed and cleaned regularly, it will become fouled, rendering it

ineffective in sealing the breech. This leakage can permanently damage the gas

check plate and possibly cause injury to the shooter. To remove the plate, loosen it

by carefully working the edge of a knife blade around the joint between the plate and

the breech block. Clean the gas check plate and breech block with warm soapy

water or solvent. Before reassembly, lubricate the gas check plate with a thin coat

of grease. Press the plate back into the breech block prior to re-assembly.

By cleaning your Sharps rifle or carbine after each shooting session, it should give

you many years of reliable service.

MAKING PAPER CARTRIDGES

During the American Civil War, Sharps rifles and carbines were usually fired using nitrated paper or

linen cartridges. These cartridges are no longer commercially available but are easily made.

The first step is to make the nitrated paper which is simply a light weight, high “rag bond” paper

soaked in a saturated potassium nitrate solution. A saturated solution is made by adding potassium

nitrate to water until it will dissolve no more of the chemical. Best results are achieved if the water is

slightly above room temperature.

Place the saturated potassium nitrate solution in a flat pan. Next place the paper into the pan and

allow it to become completely saturated with the solution. Remove the saturated paper from the

solution and allow it to completely dry.

The dried paper is cut to the shape shown below.