This is an example of a Sharps Model 1874 Mid Range Sporting Rifle manufactured at Bridgeport, Conn. The top barrel flat is marked "Old Reliable" followed by "SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT, CONN" directly ahead of the rear sight and "CALIBRE 40" at the breech. The left side of the receiver is marked "SHARPS RIFLE CO/PAT. APR. 6 1869". The name "Dall DeWeese" is marked on the barrel directly behind the rear sight and on the underside of the buttstock behind the pistol grip. William Dallas DeWeese (1857-1928), known as Dall DeWeese, was a horticulturist, big game hunter and conservationist who was an advocate for protecting Alaskan and national wildlife. Among his many accomplishments, DeWeese excavated a Diplodocus skeleton that now resides at the Denver Museum of Natural History. The barrel is fitted with a front sight base (blade missing) and a folding ladder rear sight. Blue barrel, casehardened remaining parts and mounted with a multi-point checkered walnut forearm and pistol grip stock with a checkered steel shotgun style buttplate. The bottom of the pistol grip is also checkered. The matching serial number is marked on the upper tang (correctly spaced for the factory tang sight, not included) and the bottom barrel flat under the forearm.

Fine. The rifle retains 75% thinned original blue finish. The action retains 25% original case colors showing some minor spotting. The wood is fine with a small stress crack near the toe, some minor pressure dents and scratches and some high edge wear on the grip cap. Mechanically excellent.