The Sharps Model 1874 was among the most popular rifles of the late 19th century and were popular throughout the country with a wide range of people from frontiersmen and professional hunters to upper class urban dwelling target shooters. The letter indicates this rifle was invoiced to J.P. Moore & Sons of New York City on September 29, 1873, as an "Octagon Sporting Rifle" in .44 caliber with a 26 inch octagon barrel (recorded or fitted wrong given current barrel length), single trigger, oil finished stock and forearm, and special ordered globe and peep sights. It weighed 10 pounds and cost $42. It was manufactured c. 1871 given the date of shipment of higher serial numbered Model 1874s such as C,53854 which was delivered to Superintendent R.S. Lawrence on Christmas Day of 1871 (see the Model 1874 section of "Sharps Firearms" by Frank Sellers). The rifle has all of those features and also has a Lawrence patent rear barrel sight, the two-line Hartford barrel address, standard patent markings, a pewter forearm cap, lightening hole drilled in the butt under the smooth sporting buttplate, and matching serial numbers on the barrel, forearm, upper tang, and buttplate. It weights just a hair over 10 pounds.

Very fine with 95% plus refinished blue finish remaining on the barrel, 40% of the subdued original case colors on the other components, dark gray and brown patina on the balance, minimal minor scratches, and crisp markings. The wood is also very fine and has light surface scrapes and dings and rich original oiled finish. Mechanically excellent. This is one of the finest special order pre-1874 Sharps Model 1874 rifles we have had the honor of bringing to auction.