This is a nice example of a heavy barrel, 15 lbs Sharps "Buffalo Hunter" rifle. This is one of an only estimated 3,881 SharpsModel 1874 Sporting rifles made with an octagon barrel at the Bridgeport plant. The rifle is fitted with a heavy octagon barrel and equipped with special order double set triggers. The top barrel flat is marked "Old Reliable" is in an octagon box followed by "SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT. CONN." ahead of the rear sight, "CALIBRE. 40" at the breech and "10 6/16" and the matching serial number on the bottom flat under the forearm. The inside of the forearm is stamped with the partial matching serial number "7594". The left side of the receiver is marked with the two line Sharps patent date and the serial number is marked on the rear. Blade front, folding ladder rear sight graduated to 800 yards and tang mounted sporting peep sight. Blue barrel, casehardened remaining parts and mounted with a smooth walnut forearm and straight grip stock with a flat checkered steel buttplate. The accompanying factory letter states that the rifle is noted as a Model 1874 Heavy Sporting Octagon Rifle, 40 caliber using the 2 5/8 inch 90 grain case, 28 inch full octagon barrel, double set triggers, open sights and oil finished stocks. The rifle was invoiced April 8, 1878 to Sharps dealer Spies Kissam & Company, 279 Broadway, New York City. The letter also notes the weight of the rifle as 15 pounds and the list price at time of invoice was $45.00.