Lot 100: Sharps Model 1874 Sporting Rifle

This is one of 2,120 Model 1874 Sporting rifles with an octagon barrel manufactured at Sharp's Hartford address. The top barrel flat is stamped with the Hartford address and "CALIBRE 44." The barrel and forearm are numbered to the gun. The rifle has a dovetail front sight base fitted with a period bone blade, Lawrence rear sight, Sharps Sporting tang sight with windage adjustment, double set triggers, pewter forend cap, Sharps patent date marked on the left side of the frame, and plain buttstock with standard rifle buttplate.

Very good. The crisp barrel has an as found smooth brown patina with traces of original blue around the sights and an area of original blue under the forearm. The remaining metal surfaces have a mixed gray patina with hints of original case colors in the protected areas. There is some very scattered minor pitting, heavier on the buttplate. The heavily worn wood is good with a hairline stress crack at a forearm screw and numerous dings, dents, and scratches most apparent on the right comb of the buttstock ahead of the buttplate. Mechanically excellent. A very nice appearing Old West Sharps rifle!