#49 • .45-125-550 Sharps Straight Paper Patch

Part of Antique Ammunition Online Auction (timed auction by Linkous Auction Group)

High bid $26.00

Status: Sold

Single antique .45-125-550 Sharps Straight paper patch cartridge with no headstamp, one of the most powerful black powder rifle cartridges of the American frontier era, loaded with 125 grains of powder behind a massive 550 grain lead bullet. The Sharps straight case design was favored by professional buffalo hunters and long range target shooters in the 1870s and 1880s, capable of accurate fire at ranges exceeding 1,000 yards. The cartridge is impressively long with a straight walled brass case bearing a plain not headstamped centerfire primer base, and is topped with a large round nosed lead bullet wrapped in a natural tan paper patch that extends well down over the case mouth, the lead itself showing a medium grey patina with light surface aging consistent with its age. Cartridge measurements are OAL 4.14 in CL 2.87in MW .46in