Sharps Rifle Co. Bridgeport 1874 Sporter .40-70 Single Shot Rifle 1876-1877

SOLD FOR: $2813

LSB#: 210218WW02

Make: Sharps Rifle Co.

Model: 1874 Sporting Rifle

Serial Number: 160193

Year of Manufacture: 1876-1877

Caliber: .40 2 1/4″ (.40-70 Sharps)

Action Type: Lever Actuated Falling Block Single Shot Rifle with Double Set-Triggers

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “OLD RELIABLE” in an octagonal border, “SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT. CONN” and “CALIBRE 40”, the right is marked “2 1/4”, the bottom is marked “6”, “15 / 16” (weight 6 lb., 15 oz.) and “160193”. The left of the receiver is marked “SHARPS RIFLE CO / PAT APR ??”, the top is marked “160193” behind the loading groove.

Barrel Length: 30” Octagonal, 0.965″ across the flats at the muzzle.

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a german silver blade in a base dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The sight is slightly loose in the dovetail, able to be pushed side-to-side by hand. The rear sight is a Lawrence patent folding ladder sight. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none present).

Weight: 11 lb., 3.7 oz.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth wood with schnable forend, straight grip, straight comb and checkered steel shotgun-style buttplate. The forend has some material loss which has been finished over on the bottom, a series of fill-spots on each side toward the rear, a long, mostly repaired crack at the right-front, and a patch-repaired chip-loss on the top-left edge at the front. The buttstock has filled spots on the left between the bottom tang and the rear lock mounting screw and on the right at the bottom-rear of the lockplate, a long repaired crack at the left-rear and a large patch-repaired chip-loss at the toe. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The LOP measures 13 7/8″ and 13″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. The plate has some case color at the top tang, but the face appears to have been media-blasted, showing light wear and minor discoloration from oxidation in the well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good as refinished, repaired Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue, & Case Color

Finish Originality: The barrel has been refinished, the receiver’s finish appears original.

Bore Condition: The bore has been sleeved. The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is some scattered light erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This gun retains about 75% of its current metal finish. The barrel’s new blue finish is generally strong with some scattered light wear, discoloration, infreuqne surface erosion and a few light nicks and scuffs. The receiver’s case color has mostly gone to a mottled light patina with case color visible in some protected areas and some light surface oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this gun rates in about Very Good-Fine condition as refinished Antique.

Mechanics: During our function check, we found that the hammer will drop if the set trigger is pressed forward when not set. Otherwise, the action functions correctly. The lever locks up tight. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: Christian Sharps introduced one of America’s first and most successful breech-loading rifles with design starting in 1850 and improvements continuing into the 1870s and the metallic cartridge era. This is an example of a cartridge-firing Sharps, a Model 1874 Sporter which was made after their new factory was brought online in Bridgeport in 1876. The rifle has a 30″ octagonal barrel chambered for the .40-70 Sharps cartridge. At some point in its life, its bore was sleeved, helping to account for its good condition, today. The rifle has matching serial numbers on the barrel and receiver and still retains strong mechanics apart from the set-trigger, which one must take care not to press forward during loading/unloading. This rifle looks great for its age, and will make a nice addition or start to a Sharps rifle collection. Please see our photos and good luck!

Sharps Rifle Co. Bridgeport 1874 Sporter .40-70 Single Shot Rifle 1876-1877
Sharps Rifle Co. Bridgeport 1874 Sporter .40-70 Single Shot Rifle 1876-1877