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attempts, it is imperative that the following procedures be used to clear the weapon.
Elevate the muzzle as nearly vertical as possible before opening the breech. With
the breech open, use a cleaning rod introduced through the muzzle to drive out the
cartridge. Insert a new round and close the breech. Only then can the muzzle be
lowered. If the breech must be opened with the gun held level, remove the
breechblock and clear any accumulated powder from the recesses at the front of the
frame before reloading. When the arm is to be loaded after being cleaned, it must
first be cleared by firing at least two caps. The vent channel in the breech block is
rather long and tends to accumulate oil when properly cleaned, which can lead to
misfires. A large quantity of smoke should be visible in the barrel on opening the
breech, if the breech block’s vent is clear. Reports have also noted that excessive
friction may develop in the breech after several rounds have been fired. This is due
to an accumulation of fouling within the frame. The breech joint is as perfect as can
be made by modern science, but it does still leak. This causes fouling to deposit
between the breech block and frame. When the lever becomes excessively tight,
spitting on the inside of the frame with the breech open will moisten this fouling and
usually relieve the problem. Do not hesitate to take this action; it will not injure the
mechanism. If the lever is bent in forcing the breech closed, the weapon may no
longer fire as the block will not be restored to its proper position.
Cleaning
Most of the problems experienced with the Sharps pattern guns are the result
of incomplete cleaning. Unlike the musketoons, which can be cleaned with
little effort, the new carbines require complete disassembly of the breech
mechanism to be cleaned properly. There are many small parts which become
clogged and jammed with accumulated fouling. These require careful
attention. If not maintained, the joint at the breech will become excessively
tight and leak gas, rendering the weapon unserviceable.
To clean the Sharps, the breech mechanism must be disassembled. To accomplish
this, first open the breech. Next, the lever pivot pin must be withdrawn. Depress the
catch ahead of the pivot pin arm and rotating the arm one quarter turn away from the
frame. Next, gently rotate the pin back and forth while pulling it out of the frame. DO
NOT STRIKE the pin or its arm. If the gun is very foul, the pin may be quite tight.
Moisten the joint between the levers and frame to loosen the pin. With the lever
pivot pin removed, the breech block may be withdrawn. This is done b y gently
tapping the block out the bottom of the frame with a wooden dowel or the handle of a
small hammer. In order to free the lever from the breechblock, remove the screw in
the right side of the block. Soak the block in HOT soapy water. While the block is
soaking, clean the barrel and frame in the usual manner. Original Sharps, and some
reproductions, have a sealing sleeve in the breech, which should be removed to be
cleaned and oiled separately. Once the barrel and frame are clean and dry, they
must be thoroughly oiled before being set aside. With the barrel clean, return to the
breechblock. The gas check plate must be removed and cleaned separately. This is
done by gently prying up the sides of the plate with a knife blade. Finally, hold the
breechblock cone under a stream of running water and check that water runs out of