The included factory letter indicates the rifle was invoiced at the Bridgeport factory on Christmas Eve 1877 to Schuyler, Hartley & Graham of New York City as a .45 2 7/8 (.45-110 Sharps) sporting rifle with a 30 inch octagon barrel, double set triggers, open sights, and oil finished wood with a weight of 15 lbs. 14 oz. and a price of "$46 less 20 + 10%" and was part of a case of ten rifles, "all ordered to be about 16 pounds, and evidently ordered to be wholesaled to the Western market, specifically Texas." The barrel is numbered "156831," and the letter indicates that the rifle it originally belonged to is recorded as a Model 1874 Hunter's Rifle invoiced at Bridgeport to Schuyler, Hartley & Graham two days earlier than the other rifle and was listed in .40 1 11/16 (.40-50 Sharps) with a 28 inch barrel and was also part of a large order of 130 rifles also indicating a large wholesale order. Interestingly, the barrel does not match the letter. It is longer and a different caliber. It is possible this barrel was removed from rifle 156831 before it was shipped and that is why the records do not match. It may have been installed on this rifle by Sharps, Schuyler, Hartley & Graham, or the end retailer to fit clients' needs. The barrel has the serial number noted on the bottom, standard open sights, "Old Reliable" and the Bridgeport address on top ahead of the rear sight, "CALIBRE 40" on top at the breech, and "MID RANGE 70" on the right at the breech. The action has the standard patent marking on the left and is now fitted with a single trigger. The rifle also features a Schnabel tip forearm and shotgun buttstock with checkered steel buttplate.

Fine as period rebarreled (see above) with 80% original blue finish, 40% original case colors remaining and concentrated around the hammer, dark brown patina on the balance, some minor oxidation, and generally only minor wear. The wood is fine and has strong original varnish finish, light scratches, small dents, a few hairline cracks at the butt, and mild edge wear. Mechanically excellent. This is a very attractive Sharps Model 1874 that appears to have been ultimately shipped to Texas. Provenance: The John Fox Collection.