Hello!
I am new on this site and is also my first post.
I have a Shiloh Sharps rifle 45-120 no. 1 heavy oct. barrel that i had purchased in 1982, Thats when i believe they made the barrel and hardware in farmingdale NY and the stockwork in Montana. Anyway, i have not shot this Magnificent rifle in many years and i am getting back into it now. My first question is on long scopes. I am really wanting to purchase one and the more authentic the better, I believe the old scopes used back in the 1800's were brass? I found one on Montana Vintage Arms that would cost me a $Grand$
with S&H and one on Buffalo Arms that would cost me about $700.00. The one on Buffalo Arms made one especially for a Shiloh Sharps. Does anyone know if the BA scope is a good quality compared to the MVA or are you paying for the name If anyone out in Shooters Forum has any info on longscopes
for my type of rifle i would really appreciate. I would still like to go with authenticity if possible just so it is well made and no foreign cheapy. I am willing to pay a good price if the scope is right!
And my second question is: I am from south of Rolla missouri, and the last time i shot this rifle i was able to purchase the REAL AUTHENTIC BLACKPOWDER around here and now i cant find it anywhere around here! Does anyone know where i can get some or order from somewhere! It will not be the same without!! Thanks for your time friends!
James R. Smith

The rules on explosives got tightened up...BP is classed asan explosive, the "fake" BP substitutes follow the rules of smokless powders (compustable solids)...all that amounts to is some more shipping restrictions for you (and Haz. Mat. fees) and a problem with most store's storage. MAny shops have stopped selling black powder, evidently in your area most of them have. Guess they talled up the cost of the new sorage rules vs. the profit from selling real BP and decided being authentic wasn't worth it (and we traditional flintlock shooters don't have a lot of other choices).

Wouldn't be able to quote the new BP buying/shipping rules to you...eventaully I'll run out and have to fact them, but it hasn't happened yet.

Believe you've got the only 2 long-tube scopes of the right period look...and BTW, their attachement and adjustments are a bit primitive, but so were the originals of the time. No matter how well made, there is a limit to straight tubed scopes...that objective lense is the same diameter of the tube. even with great glass, there is a sever limit to the light gathered by a 20mm front lens. But it would be authentic, as that's what was used back in the 1800's.

Think tere was a post on this site last month, with pictures, of how it mounted on a muzzle loader...but I may have confused forums....if I run across that post/site, will get back to you.