Well I think Sharps with their big side hammers, and ancient front stuffer appearances are kinda homely. They may be extremely strong, but that big hammer has a very slow lock time compared to many center hung hammer single shots.
Can't debate their history, but there were good numbers of Rolling Block rifles also used, although at that period most were military models and not as many Sporting rifles.
Any of the old single shot rifles are plenty strong enough for the BP cartridges they were chambered in. I doubt most people care if you can push an old design further than it was originally chambered for. And both Rolling Blocks, and Ballard rifles were chambered for some pretty stout BP cartridges also. The Ballard was chambered in .45-120, and the Rolling Block for at least the .44-90/105 and maybe larger cartridges. Neither design compares to the Sharps in strength, but they're not going to fail using these big cartridges, or we'd see or hear of it. My Ballard #7 Long-Range is chambered for the .44-100-530 cartridge and still in one piece after almost 150 years.

art_ruggiero wrote on Sep 11^th, 2022 at 12:46pm:


Couldn't agree more Art! But I would like to own an original schuetzen match Roller someday. They're very tough to find as I think most schuetzen shooters didn't want a Rolling Block for that type of shooting. But the few I've seen were gorgeous!
I was very fortunate to finally purchase an original Creedmoor last year in .44-77, but missing all the sights. The stock finish had been stripped, but fortunately it wasn't sanded at all. So I was able to refinish the wood, and get sights to put it back where it should be.
Crappy pictures.

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It's not a minty creampuff, but has a great bore, and shoots excellent. 

kootne wrote on Sep 12^th, 2022 at 12:49pm:


That's very sad to hear! John was a great guy, and very talented gunsmith. I haven't talked to him in a couple years.

Art, if you are referencing John King of Kila, Mt, I believe he has passed away a year or so ago.
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John was alive and well this April/May when I talked to him although his back is bad and he's slowed down a lot from work that he's taking on.

Old-Win wrote on Sep 13^th, 2022 at 7:49am:


John was alive and well this April/May when I talked to him although his back is bad and he's slowed down a lot from work that he's taking on. [/quote]

Just to clear up things, I was told he had passed away but apparently bad intel was given to the fellow that told me that. I contacted my source after reading Old-Wins post. He called and confirmed John is still standing. I apologize for the misinformation I posted on this site. And I'm glad John is not deceased, he is an asset to our tribe.