According to "Sharps Firearms" by Frank Sellers, Sharps only manufactured approximately 6,400 of these sporting rifles in a variety of configurations between 1871 to 1880. This example is fitted with double set triggers and a 30 inch, heavy, octagon barrel and is one of a reported 360, including both the Model 1869 and Model 1874 rifles, chambered for the desirable .40-90 caliber, making this example relatively scarce (according to page 83 of Roy Marcot's "Sharps Firearms" Volume II). Modified brass blade front sight and a modified fixed notch rear sight. The top barrel flat is marked "Old Reliable" ahead of the Bridgeport address, and the left barrel flat is marked "CAL.40" ahead of "2 5/8". The left side of the receiver is marked with the two-line Sharps 1869 patent date, and the matching serial number "155251" is marked on the upper tang and underside of the barrel. It is mounted with a smooth walnut forearm numbered to the gun and straight grip stock with a steel buttplate. This Sharps sporting rifle in .40-90 caliber likely saw its fair share of frontier use, and would have had plenty of stopping power for taking down buffalo on the plains.