This Sharps sporting rifle appears to have been period assembled using a Civil War era New Model 1863 action while being re-barreled with a heavy octagon target style barrel fitted with an under rib. This rifle appears to have possibly been converted by a skilled gunsmith somewhere in the American West, specifically for the frontier marking in the late 1860s or early 1870s. Sharps sporting rifles are considered to be one of the classic western firearms and were particularly popular with buffalo hunters. The barrel has a German silver "Rocky Mountain" blade front sight in a dovetailed base, Lawrence pattern folding ladder rear sight (not Lawrence marked), an additional rear sight dovetail that was filled during the period of use, and appears to be devoid of markings (including the bottom). The action has the standard Sharps markings including the serial number on the upper tang. It is mounted with a smooth forearm pinned through a single barrel underlug and fitted with a pewter nosecap. The stock has a checkered wrist, brass patch box on the right, and is fitted with a military pattern buttplate. This rifle is pictured on p. 352 of "Sharps Firearms: Model 1874, 1875 &1877 Target Rifles & Model Variations, Vol. III" by Marcot and Paxton. Provenance: The J.B. Jordan Collection; Property of a Gentleman

Good as frontier converted to sporting rifle configuration, showing a mixture of grey and brown patinas, traces of brown finish, and light pitting on the period replaced barrel, typical of a working gun in the American west. The action has a mixture of artificial grey and brown patina with light pitting. The refinished wood is fair with stabilized cracks in the forearm, moderate wear, and some scattered minor dings. Mechanically fine. A Sharps buffalo rifle with all the character of the American West!