I traded for a Manchero .54 cal. rifle in the Sharps style this morning. I have no idea how to load this monster. Looks like I’m going to have to buy some kind of cartridge case to load it. Any help with this rifle would be greatly appreciated.
-
Friends, our 2nd Amendment rights are always under attack and the NRA has been a constant for decades in helping fight that fight.
We have partnered with the NRA to offer you a discount on membership and Muzzleloading Forum gets a small percentage too of each membership, so you are supporting both the NRA and us.
Use this link to sign up please; https://membership.nra.org/recruiters/join/XR045103
Manchero .54
- Thread starter mjpchief
- Start date
Help Support Muzzleloading Forum:
Never heard of a Manchero. This isn't an inline is it?
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2019
- Messages
- 828
- Reaction score
- 915
Pictures?
Don’t know cartridge it takes. Will post pictures when I get back home. Pretty obvious that I can’t just load it from the muzzle because of the gap at the breach.
Sharps are not muzzleloaders, they are breach loaders. The "trigger guard" is also a lever that drops the breach block. Depending on if it's an 1859 or an 1867 (and later) Sharps determines if it takes a paper or metallic (brass) cartridge.
If its a capping Sharps, ie. has a nipple to take a percussion cap, it does not take a metallic cartridge. It is a breech loader using a paper or linen cartridge which is consumed when the gun is fired. It can also be loaded with a bullet and loose powder provided the bullet is seated into the bore properly and you don't get any powder into the cavity in the forearm. That could result in the forearm being blown off. It might seem the Sharps could be loaded from the muzzle if the action is left closed but that would be foolish at the least and very dangerous at the max. It is not necessary to fill the chamber with powder, the Sharps was designed to be fired with less than a full chamber and should you fill the chamber you'll get a rather unpleasant surprise when you touch it off. There is a lot of information out on the net about bullet choices and loading and firing the Sharps if you do a search.
I have never heard of a Manchero. "This Thread Needs a Photo"
Good Luck
I have never heard of a Manchero. "This Thread Needs a Photo"
Good Luck
Never had one of these before.
.54 cal. IAB Marcheno made in Italy.
U.S. Sharps Rifle Co. Meriden Conn.
Sile New York
These are the markings on the barrel.
.54 cal. IAB Marcheno made in Italy.
U.S. Sharps Rifle Co. Meriden Conn.
Sile New York
These are the markings on the barrel.
Attachments
Okay, it has a percussion nipple, definitely takes a paper cartridge. It's an IAB so check EVERYTHING on the rifle. I have the 1867 IAB version, one nick name IABs acquired early on was "It's Always Broken". Doesn't mean you have a bad one but go light on your BP loads and NEVER use anything but real black powder in it, really I mean NEVER!!!
What load do you use? And is it 3F?
I would assume so but I've never fired a percussion Sharps before. I know one guy who had one eons ago, never took it apart to properly clean it, built up powder collected in it and blew the side of the stock out. Luckily it was at a reenactment, no live rounds, he just had burns and stock splinters in his arm.
SamTex1949
32 Cal.
then it isn't a muzzle loader!
Russ T Frizzen
70 Cal.
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2004
- Messages
- 5,007
- Reaction score
- 423
There shouldn't be a gap at the breech when the breech block is in battery. IAB doesn't have the best reputation, but you should be able to make it work. Be sure to clean the ignition channel well, and remove the fore arm to check for loose powder in there.
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2005
- Messages
- 8,017
- Reaction score
- 1,023
once you get this up and running, you will have a great time shooting it.
cleaning is VERY IMPORTANT
cleaning is VERY IMPORTANT
There is no gap. I slid the breech block back in without the plate on it. Dumb stunt on my part.
Very helpful video. Thanks for posting it.
Took it out today and fired 10 rounds through it. After a few shots the breech block began to tighten up so I had to take it apart and clean the block and receiver and everything worked as it should. Fun to shoot. Now I need to roll some more paper.
I finally hit a large pumpkin at around 40 yards but need to figure out what load to make and set down on a bench and sight it in.
I finally hit a large pumpkin at around 40 yards but need to figure out what load to make and set down on a bench and sight it in.
