The included factory letter confirms the rifle fires .45, 2 7/8 inch case ammunition from the 30 inch full octagon barrel and has double triggers, open sights, oil finished stock and 14 1/2 pound total weight. The rifle was invoiced at the Bridgeport factory on October 19, 1877, to B. Kittredge & Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio, a well-known supplier of Sharps rifles out west for commercial buffalo hunters. The heavy barrel is marked "Old Reliable" in an octagon box followed by "SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT. CONN." ahead of the rear sight and "CAL 45" at the breech. The receiver has the patent date marking. The underside of the barrel under the forearm is numbered to the gun and marked with the number "10" to indicate the barrel weight. The straight grip stock is fitted with a checkered steel buttplate. Many Sharps rifles were manufactured in some of the most powerful black powder cartridges ever made. The use of double set triggers and a set of cross sticks made them incredibly accurate. By shooting from a distance, hunters had the opportunity to inflict multiple casualties among a herd without stampeding the remaining animals.

Good. The rifle has a mixed dark mottled patina with some minor spotting. The upper tang is cracked (at the upper screw hole) and it is missing the lower rear screw. The wood is fair with a heavily worn forearm missing some wood and thumb channel cut into the wrist. A historic, documented Old West Sharps buffalo hunter rifle! Correction: Mechanical condition, needs work as the hammer will not hold when cocked.