Pedersoli Sharps Rifle Question

[Artyman]

Gentlemen,

Recently bought a new Pedersoli Sharps rifle (rifle, not carbine). New in box, but the instruction sheet is missing. I have experience with many repro Sharps as well as originals but this one is different. The plate on the face of the breech block, which has the cartridge cutter at the top, is usually removable for cleaning. This one seems to be different. That plate looks to be pressed in and not removable. Further, while the sliding chamber functions, it only wants to slip out about 1/8". Others I have the chamber will slide out all the way to the back of the block passage though not enough to remove entirely. Has anybody had one of these and can respond? I'd hate to be wrong and leave something uncleaned that should be!

Thanks

Harry

[Sharpshot]

Hi Harry'
The plate on mine comes off for cleaning and the sliding chamber comes all the way back to breech. The plate might be stuck on tight with grease from factory. The chambers are machined tight and need to be kocked loose with sleeve tool ( brass rouund sleeve tighted with allen wrench)and greased up or oiled well. Berdansharpshooter.com has great info on the care and function of the sharps rifle. Great shooter once you get going. Good luck.
John C. Neugebauer
26th PVI

[Artyman]

I read your website. Is yours a Pedersoli? Unfortunately the webpage does not mention or state whether or not the Pedersoli Sharps is different from the other brands. On my Armi Sport Sharps there are slots to put a screw driver tip into to pry off the plate, this one has no such slot and I wonder how I can get any purchase to pry it loose or if it is even intended to be removed.

I did not try the sleeve tool since the sleeve does easily move that 1/8". I did not want to force it if it was designed not to come out any further.

Harry

[Sharpshot]

Hi Harry,
Yes mine is a pedersoli. I have had it 4years bought new in box. I just took it apart and there are two cuts in the plate to allow me to pry with finger nails to pry it off or use a tool of some kind. My sleeve comes out a full inch till the back of gun stops it. Unless they changed the design in the last couple of years. I have another instruction sheet for sharps. Send me your e-mail and I will attach it.

[Artyman]

OK. Sending you a PM

Harry

[Sharpshot]

Hey Harry,
Sorry box was full. Send again or I will keep on checking to see if it goes thru.
John

[Artyman]

Now for an answer. I have been sent several very good replies. here are the results:

Pedersoli Sharps rifle. The sliding chamber should slide all the way out to the back of the breech block passage.

The gas check plate on the front of the breech block is machine pressed into the block and is not removable.

Thanks for your help!

Harry

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

Correct...

There are essentially "two variations over time" as the Italians initially simplified the original Sharps gas check design by eliminating the gas seal plate and going with the floating chamber sleeve. Due to "quality control" randomness, the sleeve "floats" as intended on some, is loose and falls out on others, and is so tight it it does not move and cannot be removed for cleaning. (Some sleeves also will move, but cannot be removed.)
Possibly as a result of complaints, they reengineered their bogus design combining a removable gas plate and the floating gas sleeve.

So, one will run into the two variations on the "theme."

Curt