Sharps manufactured only 429 of these Model 1874 Long Range rifles from 1875 to 1879, and only 75 were No. 3 rifles. The letter lists this rifle as invoiced at the Bridgeport factory on June 23, 1876, to William Read & Sons of Boston, Massachusetts and also states, "This rifle was a single gun order from the Read firm, probably for a specific customer who was caught up in the long-range shooting craze that was at its height at this very time... .44 caliber, using the 95 grain 2 & 5/8 inch shell... ordered with a spirit level attached to the windage sight for which there was an extra $5 charge." It weighs just over 9 pounds. The barrel is fitted with a windage adjustable front globe sight (modern replacement), and the upper tang is equipped with a long range Vernier peep sight. Marked "SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT, CONN." and "CALIBRE 44" on top of the barrel and "SHARPS RIFLE CO./PAT. APR 6 1869" on the left side of the receiver. The matching serial number "156288" is marked on the bottom of the barrel, upper tang (hidden under tang sight), and on the left side of the tang sight base. The partial matching serial number "6288" is marked in the forearm channel. Mounted with a multi-point checkered walnut forearm and straight grip stock with a checkered iron buttplate.

Very good as mostly turned to a gray patina with traces of case coloring on the lock, some scattered light spotting and some small scattered patches of light pitting. Wood is fine with scattered dents and scratches, a small crack on the left front of the forearm, and light wear to the checkering with one dent below the wrist. Mechanically excellent.