This Sharps Model 1874 Military rifle has an accompanying factory letter that lists it as invoiced from the Sharps Hartford factory on January 14, 1872, to Carlos Gove of Denver, Colorado Territory, in .44 caliber, with a 30 inch barrel, single trigger, open sights and oil-finished stocks, at a price of "$20 less 10%" and further states, "A case of 10 Military Rifles was shipped to Gove on this date, 5 each in 44 and 50 caliber." Only around 1,769 Model 1874 military rifles were manufactured between November 1871-March 1877 with variations in caliber, triggers, stocks, etc. This one falls in the correct C,50000+ range and has a Rocky Mountain blade front sight with red painted outer edge, R.S. Lawrence patent ladder rear sight, the three-line Hartford barrel address marking on top of the barrel ahead of the rear sight, "44" and "20" on the left of the breech, a plain trigger, Sharps patent marking on the left of the frame, sling swivels on the center barrel band and bottom of the buttstock, full length walnut military forearm with steel cap, and walnut buttstock with patchbox. Matching serial number "C,51421" marked on the underside of the barrel and top of the frame. Includes a modern metal box containing an empty shell and reloading tools.

Very good, exhibiting a pleasing mix of plum brown and gray patina characteristic of some frontier use, strong traces of case colors visible on the lower tang and lever catch, period repaired/reattached patchbox door, and scattered spotting. The refinished wood is also very good, with some scattered light scratches and handling marks, and defined edges. Mechanically fine.