Quick Facts
| Manufacturer | Bertram |
| Cartridge | .45-120 Sharps |
| Product | New, unprimed brass cartridge cases |
| Case configuration | 3¼-inch Sharps Straight |
| Primary use | Historic and modern single-shot rifles with a verified matching chamber |
| Country of manufacture | Australia |
| U.S. distributor | Desert Tech Munitions |
Important: This listing is for new, unprimed brass cartridge cases only. It is not loaded ammunition and contains no primer, powder, or projectile.
Why Choose Bertram .45-120 Sharps Brass?
- New-production brass for a specialized single-shot rifle cartridge
- Correctly headstamped for easier identification and recordkeeping
- Manufactured by Bertram in Australia
- Imported and supported in the United States by Desert Tech Munitions
Cartridge History
The .45-120 Sharps name is used commercially for the long .45-caliber 3¼-inch Sharps Straight case offered in modern reproduction and custom single-shot rifles.
The name is familiar to modern shooters, but historical cartridge naming and actual Sharps factory chamber offerings are frequently oversimplified in secondary accounts. This page therefore identifies the product by both its commercial name and case length.
Understanding the Cartridge Name
Many nineteenth-century American black-powder cartridge names use a caliber-and-charge convention. The first number identifies the nominal bullet caliber, while the second commonly identifies a nominal charge of black powder in grains. This convention is historical terminology, not a modern loading recommendation.
Did You Know?
The “120” follows the traditional caliber-and-powder-charge naming pattern. It describes the cartridge's historical-style commercial identity and should never be treated as a universal loading instruction.
Rifles Commonly Chambered
- Modern Sharps-pattern rifles specifically chambered for .45-120 3¼-inch
- Current C. Sharps Arms rifles offered in the 3¼-inch Sharps Straight chambering
- Custom single-shot rifles with a verified matching chamber
Compatibility warning: Similar cartridge names and rifle models do not establish interchangeability. Verify the complete chamber designation and case length before ordering components.
Legacy
The .45-120 is best understood today as a specialized modern commercial chambering in the traditional Sharps-rifle style. Its large case and limited production make correctly headstamped brass an important component for owners of these rifles.
Product and Reference Specifications
| Manufacturer | Bertram |
| Condition | New |
| Primed | No |
| Material | Cartridge brass |
| Reloadable | Yes, subject to inspection and correct loading practices |
| Commercial designation | .45-120 Sharps |
| Case configuration | 3¼-inch Sharps Straight |
| Nominal case length | 3.250 in / 82.55 mm |
| Case design | Rimmed, straight |
| Compatibility | Only firearms chambered for the 3¼-inch .45-120 Sharps Straight cartridge |
| Country of manufacture | Australia |
| U.S. distributor | Desert Tech Munitions |
Nominal case length identifies the current commercial chambering. It does not replace inspection of the actual component, chamber, dies, or firearm.
Black Powder Cartridge Shooting Notes
- Inspect every case before use
- Check case length, mouth condition, primer pocket, and flash hole
- Size, expand, chamfer, and deburr as required by the rifle, chamber, bullet, and loading tools
- Maintain consistent case preparation and fouling-control practices
- Use reputable published information for the exact cartridge and firearm
Loading note: Historical cartridge names and nominal powder-charge numbers are not load recipes. Component selection, powder type, bullet design, compression, and safe charge development require cartridge-specific published guidance.
Availability & Production
Bertram manufactures many Sharps and black-powder-era cases in scheduled production runs rather than continuously. Desert Tech Munitions maintains U.S. inventory when available and offers dealer and OEM programs to qualified buyers.
Why Buy from Desert Tech Munitions?
- Authorized U.S. Bertram distributor
- U.S. inventory and domestic shipping when available
- Direct working relationship with Bertram
- Knowledgeable support for rare and specialty cartridge brass
- Dealer and OEM programs for qualified buyers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this loaded ammunition?
No. This listing is for new, unprimed brass cartridge cases only.
Does the second number tell me how much powder to load?
No. It reflects a historical nominal black-powder charge used in the cartridge's name. It is not modern loading data.
Can this brass be used with smokeless powder?
Powder selection depends on the exact cartridge, firearm, and authoritative published data. Never infer a smokeless load from a historical black-powder designation.
Should new cases be sized before loading?
Inspect every case. Sizing or expanding may be appropriate to establish correct shape and neck tension for the specific chamber, bullet, and loading tools.
Why must I verify case length?
Several cartridges share similar caliber-and-charge names. The complete chamber designation and nominal case length help distinguish cartridges that are not interchangeable.
Sharps & Black Powder Cartridge Collection
Select any cartridge below to view its brass, pricing, and availability.