Sharps Berdan

[Yakiman]

Can anyone tell me if the Pedersoli 1859 Sharps Berdan rifle is approved? The list only says 1859 and the Pedersoli website states approval for the infantry model but makes no mention of it for the Berdan. Only difference I can see is the double set triggers.

[John Holland]

The Pedersoli reproduction of the Sharps Berdan Rifle is not on the N-SSA's "Approved Arms List" because of the set triggers. The N-SSA Rules have specifically banned all types of set triggers. Because of that, it is not possible to add the Pedersoli Sharps Berdan Rifle to the Approved Arms List. You are correct that otherwise it is the same Rifle. What the N-SSA has done for its competitors who have Berdan Rifles is to allow them to remove the set trigger unit and replace it with a single trigger unit. At that point, the previous Berdan Rifle becomes a standard Sharps M-1859 Rifle, which is approved. Pedersoli's parts prices be a bit costly, but you will then have two Rifles in one. This is one of the few modifications to an arm that does not require a Small Arms Individual Approval to do.