This is a fine example of a Sharps Model 1874 Long-Range Rifle that was manufactured in Hartford, Connecticut. The rifle is accompanied by a "Armory of the Sharps Rifle Company" letter that states the original Sharps Rifle Company records show the rifle was invoiced to Sharps agent E.S. Harris in New York City on December 23, 1875. The Sharps records describe the rifle as: "Model 1874 Long Range Target Rifle No. 3", caliber .44 (.44-90 Sharps Necked) with target sights and spirit level, Sharps records indicate that only thirteen No. 3 Model 1874 Long-Range Rifles were manufactured at the Hartford factory. The rifle has a 34-inch blued full octagon barrel with 'Old Model' windgauge front sight with spirit level. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the late style, one-line, legend: "SHARPS RIFLE CO HARTFORD, CONN." and "CALIBRE 44". The serial number, "155696" is stamped on the underside of the barrel and on the inside of the forearm. The receiver, hammer and lever have a casehardened finish. The left side of the receiver is roll-stamped: "SHARPS RIFLE CO/PAT APR 6 1869" in two lines. The rifle has a tang-mounted, Long Range Vernier rear sight with 4 5/8-inch stem graduated from 0-6 and peep cup on the windage bar. The left side of the sight base is stamped with the partial serial number "96". The rifle has the No. 3 varnished, straight, walnut stock with checked wrist and die-cast, checkered, iron, shotgun buttplate. The forearm has a schnabel tip with checkered panels The single trigger has a smooth face.

Fine. The rifle shows light handling wear and retains 60% of the faded original blue and 30% casehardened finish The barrel has 90% of the original blue finish with some handling wear on the edges. There is some scattered pitting on the sides of the barrel below the edges of the forearm. The barrel markings are crisp. The casehardened finish on the receiver, hammer and lever has faded to a gray-brown patina. Strong case colors remain in protected areas. The buttplate has a dark brown patina with some scattered surface rust. The stock and forearm are in very good condition and retain nearly 90% of the original varnish finish. There is some finish chipping on the underside of the stock near the buttplate. The stock and forearm have a few minor handling marks. The checkering on the stock and forearm is crisp and shows minimal handling wear. This is a fine, original, example one of a total production of 13 Sharps Hartford No. 3 Long-Range Model 1874 Rifles.