the vent in the front of the block. If it only drips, or fails to flow at all, remove the cone and cleanout screw. Thoroughly clean the vent channel with a pipe cleaner or small drill. Some guns have been found with undersize vents. If excessive fouling of the vent is a problem, it may be necessary to enlarge the passage. Once all the parts are cleaned and oiled, the weapon can be reassembled. Be careful not to strike the gas plate with anything but wood when seating it in the breech block, and then only gently. When reinstalling the lever in the frame, it will be necessary to push it firmly into place in order to drive the pivot pin home. The federally made carbines have an automatic priming device incorporated into the lock. This will allow fouling to enter the mechanism. This area should be kept well oiled and the lock should be removed and cleaned occasionally. When properly cleaned, the Sharps carbine will render reliable service in the coming campaigns. By using these simple procedures, the new breechloaders will greatly increase our effectiveness in the field.
© 1998 by A. M. Beck
Section II: Model 1874 Cartridge Rifle and Carbine
CARTRIDGES
The 1874 Sharps rifle or carbine is available in several calibers. You will find the caliber for which your rifle is chamber stamped on the barrel near the rear sight. YOU SHOULD NEVER ATTEMPT TO FIRE A CARTRIDGE IN YOUR RIFLE THAT IS NOT THE SAME CALIBER AS STAMPED ON THE BARREL...
Your 1874 Sharps rifle or carbine is a modern copy of a black powder firearm and is intended to use cartridges loaded with black powder, Pyrodex, or an approved black powder substitute. Factory loaded cartridges can be used provided they are loaded to appr oximate black powder pressures. You should verify with the cartridge manufacturer that his cartridges do not exceed black powder pressures.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD SMOKELESS POWDER LOADS BE USED THAT EXCEED FACTORY LOAD SPECIFICATIONS OF BLACK POWDER PRESSURES AND VELICITIES.
THE GUN OWNER ASSUMES ALL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH FIRING RELOA DS .
If you are using cartridges loaded with black powder or Pyrodex, it may be necessary to s wab the bore after every few shots to insure good accuracy and easy loading. This is necessary because fouling builds up in the front of the chamber, interfering with proper cartridge seating. Such fouling can be removed with a properly sized bore brush dipped in water and used to scrub the front of the chamber clean
Step 1 - Initial Cleaning
Before firing your 1874 Sharps for the first time, you should remove any excess factory lubricants applied to protect the gun during shipping. This proc ess will be greatly simplified by field stripping the gun. (Please refer to the “Disassembly and Cleaning” section for field stripping instructions). Once this initial cleaning is completed, the gun should be
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