This rifle was manufactured circa 1872-1873 based on other closely serial numbered rifles shipped to the Great Plains for other buffalo hunters those years listed on page 220 of "Sharps Firearms" by Sellers. It has a heavy barrel marked with the post-April 1876 marking "Old Reliable" in an octagon box and followed by "SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT. CONN." ahead of the rear sight and "CALIBRE 50" at the breech. "C. SHARPS PAT/ SEPT. 12th 1848" is on the left flat of the receiver behind the breechblock guide. The serial number is on the upper tang of the receiver, the bottom of the barrel, the trigger plate, buttplate, and front face of the buttstock. The bottom of the barrel is also marked "11" which is for the weight of the barrel: 11 pounds. The total weight of the rifle is 14 3/4 pounds. The heavy weight barrel and the double set triggers are special features mounted on this rifle. The barrel is fitted with a German silver blade front sight and a folding leaf rear sight graduated to 800 yards. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a brass tack in the center of the left side and an iron buttplate. Complete in a locking period case. The case is wooden, covered in green painted canvas with brown leather edges, tie down straps, and carrying handle. The lock is correctly unmarked, and it was originally lined with maroon felt but now has some green felt inside. Included are a pair of crossed 30 inch long hickory shooting sticks, a lead bar marked "ST. LOUIS BAR LEAD" that weighs a little less than 3/4 of a pound and a replica tang sight built to original specifications. Shooting sticks and heavy barrels were used to stabilize these rifles for long range shots at bison on the Great Plains. The heavy barrels were also less prone to the effects of the heat generated by rapid fire. By shooting from a distance, hunters had the opportunity to inflict multiple casualties among a herd without stampeding the remaining animals.

Fair. The rifle has a worn dark patina on the barrel and some of the casehardening pattern on the lock plate and hammer and otherwise a dark patina. There is some light pitting around the loading chute behind the breechblock. The revarnished wood is fair with a few minor cracks in the stock, a filled hole in the forearm, and overall some minor dents and dings. It is mechanically fine. The case is relined and has some loose partitions. The straps show some heavy wear and one side of the handle has come loose from the case. This is a solid representative example of the Sharps Model 1874 Buffalo rifle.