identify rifle please

[mc4571b]

Thought I would throw this to the forum since I can't find an answer myself.  I am painting the Reaper miniature Batt Ridgeley, Sharpshooter at the moment, and I am trying to identify the make of rifle he is armed with.  If anyone can help it would be appreciated.  I love the detail on this figure, it is certainly a fun one to paint.
cheers

[Elbows]

While many Old West miniatures are pretty soft on the gun detail - that definitely looks (at a glance) to be a Sharp's carbine/buffalo rifle.

(or similar)



There were a lot of similar cartridge-fed single barrel rifles, chambered in heavy calibers.  Commonly used for hunting (up to and including Bison and other giant beasties).  That's what it looks like from the few pics I saw on google.

[mc4571b]

Further digging away from the work computer led me to a Petersoli Sharps rifle, makes sense for a marksmans rifle from this time period.
and thanks elbows, your reply arrived as I was typing this

[Elbows]

They actually have an event here in Montana to this day where shooters compete at tremendous ranges with Sharps or similar rifles.



They still 600+ yards.