General Hints

GAS CHECK MOVING TOOL - ITEM USA 500
This new tool has been made to ease the partial removal of the gas check placed inside the chamber of 1859 SHARPS.
As we always recommended the gas check must be kept clean and oiled for its contact into the chamber. However a
complete removal is possible only disassembling the barrel, which must be done by a gunsmith.
An ordinary and efficient maintenance is obtained moving the gas check forwards and backwards, making it rotate,
cleaning and oiling it to avoid its sticking inside the chamber due to possible rust caused by the combustion residues.
Such maintenance can be performed with an unloaded rifle, after having removed the breech block.
The moving tool is made by a rod having a conic threaded part and a threaded cilinder, vertically cut in two parts which
are united by two rubber rings.
One of this two parts is equipped with a perpendicular pin.
Insert the moving tool into the gas check up to the further rubber ring, rotate the rod clockwise. The pin touching the
frame will react enabling the expansion of the two halfs inside the gas check, such to move it forwards and backwards.
After the cleaning, it will be sufficient to counter clock the rod to unscrew it and reduce the expansion of the two halfs and
extract the tool.
CAUTION
• We strongly recommend you point the muzzle downrange in a safe direction
BEFORE
attempting to load and fire the rifle.
• To place the rifle on safe, slowly drop the hammer in the half-cock position. We strongly
recommend not loading the rifle until you are in the hunting field, or on the target range and
you are ready to shoot safely.
• Insure that the nipple and vent are clean and clear of oil or other obstructions prior to loading.
LOADING AND FIRING
1) Place the rifle on safe, by placing the hammer in the half cock position. Extend the lever
downward, fully opening the breech. Carefully insert one bullet of proper caliber into the
breech, allowing it to firmly seat into the front of the chamber. Slightly overfill the remaining
chamber with black powder or equivalent propellent (Pyrodex) previously prepared with the
proper measurer (item USA 196).
Maximum loads should not exceed 60 grains in .45 caliber or 80 grains in .54 caliber.
All powder grain weights given are for Swiss n.3 black powder.
Make sure that the chamber is completly filled with powder to avoid any empty space
between powder and ball.
The chamber should hold approximately 50 to 60 grains of black powder in .45 caliber, and 60
to 80 grains in .54 caliber. Actual powder capacity can vary, depending on bullet type, or
configuration.
Note:
a paper cartridge can be inserted in the chamber instead of the bullet and powder
method at this time; to make a paper cartridge, we suggest you consult the specialized
manuals for black powder loads.
2) With the barrel pointed straight down, tap the rifle a few times to allow the powder to settle in
the chamber. If using the paper cartridge method, push the cartridge firmly into the
cylinder, slightly compacting the powder and insuring that the paper cartridge you allow
to make a complete charge and that there are no empty spaces inside the chamber. With
the barrel still pointed down, carefully close the breech. Keeping the gun horizontal, turn the
rifle right or left with the muzzle pointed downrange in a safe direction, so any excess paper
and powder will fall away from the top of the breech and onto the ground.
3) With the barrel pointed safely downrange, cap the rifle with musket cap and fully cock the
hammer. While pointing at your target, slowly pull on the
REAR trigger until it sets. While aiming
at your target, slowly pull the
FRONT trigger and your rifle will fire.
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