Sharps Bridgeport Model 1874 No. 2 Long Range Rifle made December 1876 and November 1879. The rifle has the checkered pistol grip stock and forearm found on No. 1 and No. 2 Sharps Model 1874 Long-Range Rifles. The rifle has a 32", half-round/half-octagon barrel chambered for the Sharps .45/100 cartridge. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the "OLD RELIABLE" trademark followed by the legend: "SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT CONN." and "CAL. 45". The underside of the barrel is stamped with the serial number, "156862". The barrel is fitted with a dovetail mounted New Model windgauge front sight. The casehardened receiver has a single trigger with checkered face and is fitted with a Long Range Vernier rear sight. The sight is fitted with a peep cup and the left side is graduated from "0-3". The sight is a modern replacement; the base is not serial numbered to the rifle. The receiver, lock plate, hammer and lever have a color casehardened finish. The left side of the receiver is marked; "SHARPS RIFLE CO/PAT APR 6 1869" in two lines. The stock and forearm are walnut with a varnish finish. The stock is fitted with a hand-checkered, iron shotgun style buttplate. The forearm has a Schnabel tip with checkered panels on the center and tip. The rifle serial number is written in pencil on the inside of the forearm. The table in "SHARPS RIFLES" by Frank Sellers states that the Sharps Bridgeport factory manufactured 229 Model 1874 No. 2 Long Range Rifles. The accompanying copy of the Sharps ledger page shows serial number "156862" as a "LR #2" (Long Range #2) shipped on April 24, 1877 with "E.L.H." on the far right hand side.

Fine as partially refinished. The barrel has had some scope block holes filled and polished over and refinished with the balance retaining 75% blue with crisp markings and a bright bore. The receiver, lock plate, lever and hammer retain 40% of the original color casehardened finish with strong case colors. The buttplate has a silver-gray patina. The stock and forearm have been refinished and are in fine overall condition. The checkered panels show some rounding from handling and there are some scattered and very minor handling and storage marks on both the stock and forearm. This is a very good example of a scarce and very desirable Sharps Model 1874 No. 2 Long Range Rifle.