The factory letter indicates this rifle was invoiced on September 28, 1872, to Walter Cooper of Bozeman, Montana Territory, as a .50 cf "Army Rifle" with a single trigger, open sights, and oil finished stocks for $20. The large order also had 60 similar rifles and 25 rimfire "Army Rifles." Walter Cooper (1843-1924) was a successful businessman but ran himself into debt with Sharps. He also designed his own sights. Per Gerald Mayberry's research, of the 516 Sharps rifles and carbines shipped by the factory to Montana, 141 were military rifles shipped to Cooper. This rifle has a brass blade front sight in a dovetailed base, "SHARPS RIFLE/MANUFG. CO./HARTFORD, CONN." ahead of the Lawrence patent notch and folding ladder rear sight, "NEW MODEL" behind the rear sight, a tang mounted peep sight, long "musket" forearm with three barrel bands, and a leather sling.

Fair in overall condition but radiant in the spirit of the American West, proudly and confidently exhibiting the scars of such a cruel and glorious environment. The wood is "fair" and likewise confidently wears its imperfections with pride. Mechanically fine. An exceptional piece of authentic western American history. The stories it wears are almost as good as the stories it could tell. Provenance: The John Fox Collection.