Sharps Rifles

Designed in 1848 by Christian Sharps, the Sharps rifle is a large-bore single-shot rifle. This falling-block rifle is extremely accurate, chambered in a powerful cartridge, and very reliable. Sharps rifles were so well built that models from the 19th century are often still functioning.

Sharps rifles were popular among civilians and military alike. The rifle was easy to convert to metallic cartridges and adopted by numerous military forces worldwide.

A number of firearms companies produce accurate replicas of this classic rifle. Famed reproduction companies including Uberti produce a period-accurate 1874 Sharps rifle. Shiloh rifles produces a classic design with several variations. These variations change barrel lengths, stock and sight options, and caliber options. These replicas are often of outstanding quality and offer an opportunity for shooters to fire a piece of history.

Quick Facts

• In the Tom Selleck film "Quigley Down Under," the character of Quigley famously uses his Sharps rifle to great effect
• Sharps rifles are also known as Beecher’s bibles, named after an armed anti-slavery advocate Henry Beecher
• The lighter, shorter Sharps military carbine was popular. More than 90,000 were produced