1859 Sharps Percussion Carbine

[ShotgunDave]

I had no idea there were paper cutter kit guns. I learned something new today.

I wonder if there's any unbuilt kits floating around out there? I'd like to get my hands on one if they are.

[Hawg]

I had no idea there were paper cutter kit guns. I learned something new today.

I wonder if there's any unbuilt kits floating around out there? I'd like to get my hands on one if they are.

I can't find one if there is.

[ShotgunDave]

I poked around a little too Hawg. I didn't see anything either.

[mazo kid]

Maybe Cape Outfitters had ordered a special run?

[Hawg]

Maybe Cape Outfitters had ordered a special run?

 IAB was made by Pedretti and have been out of business a long time.

[mazo kid]

I found this, but not any offered for sale yet. This post was from 2005.
https://milsurpafterhours.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=579#p2994

[ShotgunDave]

Interesting Em. He says he built his from a kit. Gonna have to keep digging.

[mazo kid]

I know Cape Outfitters had several special order guns years ago. The owner passed away and the company ceased to be in existence.

[ShotgunDave]

Yeah I'm finding that out in my internet digging. I do see a few old for sale ads, listing Cape Outfitters kit guns for sale. It looks like the guns were IAB made parts. Not too many folks have much good to say about them.

[Hawg]

Yeah I'm finding that out in my internet digging. I do see a few old for sale ads, listing Cape Outfitters kit guns for sale. It looks like the guns were IAB made parts. Not too many folks have much good to say about them.

Mine was made in the 80's. It did have an oversize bore and chamber. There were rough tool marks on the internals. It did have excessive flash from the receiver with 90+ grains of powder but the recommended load was 80 grains and it did very well with 80 grains. I used a 557-490 ringtail bullet. With a bullet seated the chamber held 110 grains of powder. The bullet diameter and chamber capacity tells you how much oversize they were. Overall it was a good rifle. It never failed to function and was very accurate. When I got it the wood had a cheesy plastic looking finish on it. The first thing I did was refinish it. The case colors were absolutely gorgeous.

[ShotgunDave]

From what I've been reading, it seems oversized chambers was the norm for IAB. Lots of guys saying their cartridge guns were very inaccurate until they reamed the chamber to a bigger size. The 45-70 was the biggest culprit. Most guys reamed them to 45-90 and then the guns became very accurate. A few even went to 45-100 with theirs.

[Retreever]

Update: After the last range visit with this rifle I stripped down the action gave everything a good cleaning with Ballistol then lubed everything with Beeswax/Olive Oil lube. I took it to the range again this morning - I was able to fire (5) rounds before she seized, quick spritz of Ballistol and good to go - got (3) more rounds out and then another spritz of Ballistol and (3) more rounds and I was all out of paper cartridges. So seems like progress to me.

Will clean her up again today this time I'm going to lube with a synthetic grease and see how that works.

Note: There were some folks elsewhere who recommended lithium grease which I believe is petroleum based. I was always under the impression you never use petroleum based products with BP guns as it turns the BP residue to a very thick and hard to clean tar like substance. Do I have that wrong?

Retreever

[Len]

I think the grease only is used in the innards mechanisms that are not exposed to the BP.

[mazo kid]

Yes, internal lubing only. A few years ago a friend had a 45-70 Sharps for sale. I don't remember if it was IAB, Armisport, or? I was leery of the quality of the rifle, soft parts, rough finish, oversized and inconsistent chambers and bore, etc so I passed on it. I know, not a paper cutter, just commenting on the overall quality.

[Hawg]

I tried molly grease on mine once. it worked ok but added another step to cleaning. It wont come off with soap and water.