First off, I highly doubt that this rifle has been shot much, if at all. With the exception of two dings (one on the butt stock and one on the barrel), I would swear that this rifle is new. The two dings look like the result of careless handling.
Workmanship is typical Shiloh...which is to say custom-quality. Even though it is a very basic #1 with no options, the fit and finish are outstanding, and the checkering on the hammer is just one of the little things that lets you know that you are NOT handling an Italian copy.
The lever spring has just the right amount of tension on it. Typically, the Italian Sharps copies have a lever spring that feels like it came out of a Chevy 3/4 ton. The trigger pulls are VERY good. UNSET is goes about three pounds. Set? About four ounces! The sights are kind of hard for my 45 year old eyes to see. I MIGHT open up the rear notch a touch, but I will shoot it first. Which brings me to my only immediate problem.....I have 50 rounds of precision-crafted, match-quality black powder 45-70 rounds that are a proven, accurate recipe....that don't fit this rifle. They won't come CLOSE to chambering. I loaded them for my Roller and didn't full-length size them, not knowing I would later try to shoot them in a match-tight Shiloh chamber. I have exactly three Remington 405gr factory loads to my name. If I have time (and BULLETS), I will try to take the time to load up at least 20 more BP rounds before I go to the range on Friday.
I have a #3 on order that I probably won't see for another two years, so this one will do nicely to tide me over until then. After that, I might send it back to get rebarrelled to 50-70 or 45-90. Unless, of course, it shoots SO well as a 45-70 that I won't be able to bear the thought of changing anything!
UPDATE: I snapped a few pics this evening and took stock of my 500gr 45-70 Lyman Government bullets. I have a grand total of five, with no chance to cast more anytime soon. Guess my range session will be kind of short but distinguished! Well, here are the pics. She isn't as distinguished as Big Nose Kate or as fancy as her safe-mate Crowbar, but I think she will hold her own.
And, just for contrast, here is Crowbar:
