This rifle was invoiced on July 29, 1878, to William Coleman & Co. of Deer Lodge, Montana, and shipped by rail from Oneida, Idaho. It is listed as a Business Rifle in .45 caliber with a 28 inch round barrel, double set triggers, open sights, and oiled wood. The list price was $35, and the company received a 30% discount. The rifle was part of an order of 10 similar rifles. William E. Coleman (1847-1925) was a veteran of the Ohio Infantry in the Civil War and came to the Montana Territory immediately following the war like so many others in search of gold and discovered Ruby Gulch. He opened his general store in Deer Lodge in 1871, and his grand Victorian home is on the National Register of Historic Places. A Business Rifle like this in .45-70 was a perfect frontier gun that could be counted on to defend life and home and put meat on the table. The Sharps Model 1874 is known to have been very popular in the Montana Territory and was recommended by Granville Stuart and others. This rifle has standard open sights, the "Old Reliable" and Bridgeport address markings, "BUSINESS 45" on top at the breech, "2 1/10" on the right at the breech, "161326," on the bottom of the barrel, "161296" on the upper tang, double set triggers, and oil finished stock and forearm. Provenance: The John Fox Collection

Very good with a genuine "frontier issued" appearance overall with traces of original finish and otherwise a smooth blend of gray and brown patina consistent with use on the Montana frontier in the late 19th century. The wood is also very good and has mild scrapes and dings, a repaired crack on the rear of the forearm, and smooth oiled finish. Mechanically excellent. This is a solid Montana Territory shipped Sharps Business Rifle in the ever popular .45-70 caliber that was very popular in the Old West.