Heavy barreled rifles such as these were commonly used for buffalo hunting in the last decades of the 19th century. The top barrel flat is marked "SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT, CONN." ahead of the rear sight, script "Old Reliable" in a rectangle with flattened corners, and "CALIBRE 50" at the breech. It features dovetailed blade front sight and combination sporting and folding ladder rear sight graduated to 800 yards. The barrel is blued with the remaining parts casehardened, double set triggers and mounted with a smooth walnut forearm and straight grip stock with a checkered steel buttplate.

Very good as refinished. The barrel has a mixed artificial gray patina. The frame has a mix of cloudy dark gray, brown, and light gray colors. The lightly sanded and re-oiled wood is very good with a series of small dents on the buttstock and on the forearm.The markings are clear. Mechanically excellent.