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C Sharps 1885 40-65 (Read 982 times)

Triggerfinger Participating Member Offline Posts: 12 Joined: Oct 13^th, 2024	C Sharps 1885 40-65 Sep 27^th, 2025 at 4:08pm	Print Post
	I have an 1885 rifle that has a C sharps barrel made in Big Timber, Mt stamp on it, but it does not have a C sharps maker stamp on the receiver. Normally on the left side. Both the barrel and receiver serial number match. I don't think receivers left C Sharps without a stamp, so I'm thinking this is work by an outside gunsmith. So, am I right that all receivers were stamped before being sold or did they send out 1885 receivers to be built on by other gunsmiths. Shoots fine, but curious.


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gunlaker Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2430 Location: lower mainland, B.C. Joined: Dec 13^th, 2010	Re: C Sharps 1885 40-65 Reply #1 - Sep 27^th, 2025 at 5:47pm	Print Post
	Steven Durren built a highwall for me with one of their actions as a starting point. It does say C. Sharps on the action, but I think Mr. Durren might have done that as he milled the action down so it wasn't a "thick side" action which is what C. Sharps sells. The serial number starts with the letter "A" which I believe they use when selling a bare action. So if yours starts with an A, I suspect it was bought as an action and built by someone else. Chris.


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Triggerfinger Participating Member Offline Posts: 12 Joined: Oct 13^th, 2024	Re: C Sharps 1885 40-65 Reply #2 - Sep 27^th, 2025 at 6:12pm	Print Post
	The serial number that is on the barrel below the forearm and is located close to that on the receiver starts with a "W". It's an interesting gun that fortunately is a good shooter.


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gunlaker Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2430 Location: lower mainland, B.C. Joined: Dec 13^th, 2010	Re: C Sharps 1885 40-65 Reply #3 - Sep 27^th, 2025 at 7:12pm	Print Post
	That's interesting. Every C. Sharps that I've owned ( other than the one I mentioned above ) has a serial number like this: 1885's 85-XXXX 1874 74-XXXX As far as I know, their bare actions are the same, but with an A in the front. Any chance it's a Meacham? Their highwalls seem to always start with a W followed by 4 numbers. Does it have unusual looking case hardening? My Meachams have a really odd looking coloring. When I bought one of their actions from Bob Z. some time ago, he told me it was because of the particular alloy that Meacham used. Chris.


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Triggerfinger Participating Member Offline Posts: 12 Joined: Oct 13^th, 2024	Re: C Sharps 1885 40-65 Reply #4 - Sep 27^th, 2025 at 7:28pm	Print Post
	The serial number is W175, so a three digit number. The case color is close to a Meacham, but ...? Lower tang is also stamped inside the metal as W175. I'll try to post a picture in a few minutes and see what you think.


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Triggerfinger Participating Member Offline Posts: 12 Joined: Oct 13^th, 2024	Re: C Sharps 1885 40-65 Reply #5 - Sep 27^th, 2025 at 7:44pm	Print Post
	Trying to post some pictures...


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Triggerfinger Participating Member Offline Posts: 12 Joined: Oct 13^th, 2024	Re: C Sharps 1885 40-65 Reply #6 - Sep 27^th, 2025 at 7:46pm	Print Post
	Another


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Triggerfinger Participating Member Offline Posts: 12 Joined: Oct 13^th, 2024	Re: C Sharps 1885 40-65 Reply #7 - Sep 27^th, 2025 at 7:47pm	Print Post
	Sorry for large pics


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Triggerfinger Participating Member Offline Posts: 12 Joined: Oct 13^th, 2024	Re: C Sharps 1885 40-65 Reply #8 - Sep 27^th, 2025 at 7:48pm	Print Post
	Last one..


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kootne Senior Forum Member Offline Posts: 455 Location: Libby, Mt. Joined: Mar 6^th, 2012	Re: C Sharps 1885 40-65 Reply #9 - Sep 27^th, 2025 at 8:58pm	Print Post
	Ballard hiwalls were stamped in that location with a "W" prefix but the font wasn't quite the same and was larger. Like this one, no other stampings on the receiver for the first 2 or 3 hundred. A rollstamp was put on the barrel. But, they were not coil spring actions either. Other differences were in the blending of lines on the extractor and breech block. Octagon receiver was an option but seldom ordered. And the case color job doesn't look right for Ballard work. just my .02 Dennis I seem to remember Meacham drilled some fixturing holes on the front of the receiver below the barrel hole. But I can't always remember what I had for breakfast, and I eat the same thing every day.

	You can't make good decisions without good information.
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gunlaker Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2430 Location: lower mainland, B.C. Joined: Dec 13^th, 2010	Re: C Sharps 1885 40-65 Reply #10 - Sep 27^th, 2025 at 9:16pm	Print Post
	It looks like a C. Sharps action to me. That is where Meacham put his numbers though. C. Sharps puts the address and serial # on the side of the action. I don't know if Meacham made thick side actions but maybe. I haven't seen one. C. Sharps makes them that way though. Looks like their case coloring too. Does it have a skeletonized hammer? All of my Meachams do. The other thing that makes me think C. Sharps action is the octagon top. C. Sharps does them that way by default but they can also do round. My Meachams are all round top. Chris.


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Triggerfinger Participating Member Offline Posts: 12 Joined: Oct 13^th, 2024	Re: C Sharps 1885 40-65 Reply #11 - Sep 27^th, 2025 at 9:21pm	Print Post
	I think I'll call C Sharps on Monday and see if they can assist me in at saying it is or is not a receiver of theirs. I don't this is a early Ballard either as the barrel is stamped the same serial number from C Sharps. Kind of a mystery what it is.


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Triggerfinger Participating Member Offline Posts: 12 Joined: Oct 13^th, 2024	Re: C Sharps 1885 40-65 Reply #12 - Sep 27^th, 2025 at 9:27pm	Print Post
	I do have a rifle being built by CPA. I may at some point have them restock it and possibly put a new barrel on it. I'd like to have a 40-60 Maynard...once my bank account recovers..


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bobw Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1924 Location: NW, Iowa Joined: Mar 19^th, 2013	Re: C Sharps 1885 40-65 Reply #13 - Sep 28^th, 2025 at 11:49am	Print Post
	For what it’s worth, and may help to identify, the case color look to be cyanid and not bone and charcoal. I know that C Sharps does cyanid. Bob

	Robert Warren
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Triggerfinger Participating Member Offline Posts: 12 Joined: Oct 13^th, 2024	Re: C Sharps 1885 40-65 Reply #14 - Sep 28^th, 2025 at 1:06pm	Print Post
	I'm thinking C sharps as well. Maybe this was gun made earlier enough when C sharps were just gearing up...? Hope to find an answer tomorrow.


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