What caliber is this??

[Idaho45guy]

The only BPCR rifle left in my dad's collection that I acquired. Obviously a .50 cal, but confused by the rest of it...

314526

The company is no longer in business as far as I can tell...

314527

Seems to be a nice Sharps reproduction rifle...

314528

[AntiqueSledMan]

Hello Idaho45guy,

Just a guess, a 50 caliber with a 2.5" long case.

AntiqueSledMan.

[762 shooter]

A 50-90 has a 2.5 inch case.

[Don McDowell]

It’s a 50-90

[Randy Bohannon]

Nice rifle.

[15meter]

But 2/10 is 1/5 reduced to it's lowest common denominator as all fractions should be, you don't say 4/16.

And a fifth of an inch, if I'm doing the arithmetic in my head right comes out at a dead even .200".

My 50-70's measure 1.750, oddball custom?

50-80?

[challenger_i]

5/10ths is "Olde Speak" for half an inch. The numerical expression is correct for the period the cartridge design comes from. Rather nice touch by the rifle builder, I would say.
As has been stated, the chamber is for a 2 1/2" cartridge, and by today's nomenclature it would be a "50-90" caliber.

[Idaho45guy]

Thank you!

[Bent Ramrod]

The cartridge was the "Big Fifty" Sharps of legend.

Your rifle looks to be a very well-made replica of the 1877 Sharps. I think it was also known as the "English Model." It was lightened up in the action and lock plate to allow more weight in the barrel for target shooting under the Creedmoor rules. The rifle couldn't weigh more than 10 lb; the trigger pull couldn't be lighter than 3 lb.

Some were made with set triggers (which disqualified them for that particular contest, but obviously the customers didn't care), and a lot of Shiloh replicas have them now as well.

[15meter]

And apparently I'm getting dislexic in my old age, I read it as 2 and 2/10......geezerville ain't for the faint of heart.

[indian joe]

The cartridge was the "Big Fifty" Sharps of legend.

Your rifle looks to be a very well-made replica of the 1877 Sharps. I think it was also known as the "English Model." It was lightened up in the action and lock plate to allow more weight in the barrel for target shooting under the Creedmoor rules. The rifle couldn't weigh more than 10 lb; the trigger pull couldn't be lighter than 3 lb.

Some were made with set triggers (which disqualified them for that particular contest, but obviously the customers didn't care), and a lot of Shiloh replicas have them now as well.

I have a Marcheno sharps that a previous owner converted to that style hammer - cut it out of a block of steel . looks kinda neat .

[MichaelR]

I’ve been using one of John’s rifles for nearly 20 years. It’s a.45-2 7/8 SS with a 28” barrel and weighs 9 1/2 pounds. It’s my go to hunting rifle good for 350 yards easy.

John told me that a guy used one of his rifles in 50-2 1/2” to take an elephant. Any chance it’s your rifle?

[Idaho45guy]

I’ve been using one of John’s rifles for nearly 20 years. It’s a.45-2 7/8 SS with a 28” barrel and weighs 9 1/2 pounds. It’s my go to hunting rifle good for 350 yards easy.

John told me that a guy used one of his rifles in 50-2 1/2” to take an elephant. Any chance it’s your rifle?

It could be! I know he took an elephant with one of his Sharps and used a solid brass boolit. I remember him telling me that he shot it head on at 30 yards and the round went through the entire skull and down the spine. He got an amazing 30"+ of penetration.

[MichaelR]

That sounds like the story John related to me.

[stubshaft]

Similar to how my Shiloh Sharps 1874 carbine is marked.

https://i.imgur.com/zqg8AkC.jpg

[BLAHUT]

Get some Creo-safe and make a chamber cast, then you can be sure ??

[Kenny Wasserburger]

50-90 Axtell 1877 Sharps.

KW

[Idaho45guy]

I’ve been using one of John’s rifles for nearly 20 years. It’s a.45-2 7/8 SS with a 28” barrel and weighs 9 1/2 pounds. It’s my go to hunting rifle good for 350 yards easy.

John told me that a guy used one of his rifles in 50-2 1/2” to take an elephant. Any chance it’s your rifle?

Here's the picture of the elephant and the rifle...

326264

So, who is "John"? Trying to find more info on my dad's rifles.

[MichaelR]

Check PMs