I knew these were in the works, but just read the article on them by Kenny Durham in the new issue of SPG News. I had missed the impetus for this rifle: shaving weight from the action to allow for heavier, stiffer barrels and still meet the 10-pound maximum weight limit for long-range competition at Creedmoor, Dollymount and other ranges. I think it would be very interesting to order one of these in an original long-range target caliber, with single trigger, and see how she shoots to 1,000. Who is up for one in, say, .44-90, and from the back position?

Kirk had one and shot it at the 2013 Texas state match. A really nice gun but you would not expect anything less. Mostly remember him using it in a shoot-off on chickens that went on and on.

Where did you read about them that referred to the M1877 as the "English Model"? I have one leaning up in the corner here.

Charles Overbaugh basically designed the rifle for Sharps to confirm to the rules that called for a ten pound weight, and a four pound single trigger. Shooters of the day usually referred to it as the M1877, but many of the competitors called the "O" or "Overbaugh" model.

Rich: See page 5 of the Fall 2014 SPG News. Article is titled "Sharps Model 1877, The Shiloh English Rifle." What caliber is yours in?

45-70.

Bill,

a more accurate source might be Frank Sellers Book. His is based on factory records, including the Elcho Shield Matches. He used production records for his sources and original photographs, to include the actual history of the development of the rifle for the 800/900/1000 yard matches between the Irish Team and factory shooters for Sharps and Remington.

Charles Overbaugh was a salesman/factory shooter for Sharps. The rules stipulated a 10 lb rifle, single stage (no set triggers) single trigger (of 4lbs minimum pull) and iron sights. It was commonly referred to as the Overbaugh or "O" model.

Overbaugh spent nearly a year developing the M77. He trimmed the 74 action, and milled the lock plate off of the rifle to start. He fitted a back action lock imported from Rigby to save more weight. the rework resulted in a savings of nearly 2lbs, which went into a heavier/longer barrel which held better for the offhand shooting, and allowed for more accurate sighting due to the longer sight radius.

The Irish Team had won the match the prior year, when the New York Rifle Team challenged them. They brought Rigby breech/muzzleloading rifles. A primed, powder charged case was chambered, and a "naked" (grease groove) bullet was seated from the front, using a false muzzle to start it. The reason, was that as each bullet was pushed down the bore to seat it, all of the powder fouling would be pushed back against the next round. It also fitted the bullet to the bore and provide a gas tight seal in the barrel. IE, the bullet did not require the powder charge to "bump" it to seal.

The Irish Team would have won the match, had one of their shooters not cross fired at the end of the match. Fascinating reading, if you have an interest (as I do)in the early competition.

Rich, my copy of Sellers is well worn. Many a happy hour spent with it in the old recliner by the fire.