Sharps Model 1874 Mid-Range Rifle was manufactured between January 1876 and November 1879. The No.1 rifle features a blued, 28-inch octagon barrel, case-hardened receiver and nickel-plated sporting buttplate with checkered walnut forearm and pistol grip stock. The stock and forearm have a varnish finish. Only twenty Model 1874 Mid-Range rifles were made with 28-inch barrels. The barrel is fitted with a dove-tail mounted front sight with nickel-silver blade and R.S. Lawrence patent folding rear sight. A Vernier rear sight is mounted on the receiver tang. The rifle has a single trigger with checkered face. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the legend: "SHARPS RIFLE CO. HARTFORD CONN." in a single line ahead of the rear sight. "CALIBRE 44" is stamped on the top barrel flat between the rear sight and receiver. The left side of the receiver is roll-stamped: "SHARPS RIFLE CO./PAT APR 6 1869" in two lines. The serial number "155951" is stamped on the left side of the Vernier sight base and the underside of the barrel beneath the forearm. The serial number is written in pencil on the inside of the forearm. All of the visible serial numbers match. The Model 1874 Mid-Range Rifle was intended for use at the Creedmoor range and NRA rules governed weight and required a single trigger. Only 36 Hartford Model 1874 No 1 Mid-Range Rifles were manufactured. The accompanying copy of the Sharps ledger shows this rifle as a Mid Range #1 (Md #1), 44/28 caliber and having been shipped to a J. W. England at the N.Y. Sun office on Sept. 6, 1876