The factory letter indicates this rifle was invoiced on September 24, 1878, to J.G. Dow, cashier of Bozeman, Montana Territory. It notes that it may have shipped on July 22, 1878, in a large order with 35 Carbines, 50 .45 caliber Business Rifles, 50 .40 caliber Business Rifles, and 60 Sporting Rifles prior to being invoiced. Dow was purchasing rifles on behalf of Walter Cooper who was indebted to Sharps. The rifle is listed as a "Model 1874 Sporting Octagon Rifle: in .45-70 (2 1/10 inch case) with a 30 inch octagon barrel, double set triggers, open sights, and oil finished wood. Its weight was specified at 12 1/2 lbs., and the price was $42. In addition to the details confirmed by the letter, the rifle has a copper Rocky Mountain blade front sight, the Old Reliable marking and Bridgeport address on top of the barrel ahead of the period custom semi-buckhorn blade and folding ladder rear sight, "CAL 45" on top at the breech, checkering on the wrist, standard patent markings, and the matching serial number on the bottom of the barrel and the upper tang. The .45-70 Government cartridge quickly became popular on the frontier with the introduction of the Springfield Trapdoor in 1873. Sharps rifles, which were widely used during the Civil War, were among the most popular of all rifles in the West where they were respected for their reliability and accuracy and could be depended on to take even the largest game as well as fight Native Americans and outlaws. Provenance: The John Fox Collection

Very good frontier used condition with 40% faded blued finish on the barrel fading to an attractive brown patina, minor patches of pitting including a band ahead of the forend where a sling may have been tied to the barrel, traces of original case colors, attractive mottled silver-gray and brown patina on the balance, and mild overall wear consistent with frontier use. The wood is also very good and has pieces absent from the forend tip, crisp period checkering, and mild scratches and dings from real use. Mechanically excellent. In 1878, the Montana Territory was still a wild place rife with conflict and outlaws.