[Jeff Higgins]

Yeah, while I do own and shoot a number of original 19th century single shots, lever guns, and single actions, this one is, in fact, a modern made reproduction. It's made by C. Sharps Arms of Big Timber, MT. There are actually two separate companies, both in Big Timber, who have been manufacturing Sharps pattern rifles for quite some time. They are literally right across the street from one another, the other company being Shilo Sharps. I took delivery of a new Shilo just before Christmas - there is little to choose between the two manufacturers.

And, yes, the only reason the Americans prevailed at the original Creedmoor match was because the Irish team member J. K. Milner cross fired on his first shot at 900 yards. He scored the maximum of four points for his "bullseye", he just did it on the wrong target, so he got a score of zero for the shot. Those four points would have put the Irish three points up at the end of the match. Oh well, anyone who has competed for any length of time at long range has done the exact same thing. It's all too easy to do.