Sharps Model 1874 Sporter .44-77 32″ Octagon Single Shot Rifle 1875 Antique
SOLD FOR: $6036
LSB#: 220117RW028
Make: Sharps Rifle Co.
Model: 1874 Sporting Rifle
Serial Number: 155150
Year of Manufacture: 1875
Caliber: .44 2 1/4? (.44-77 Sharps)
Action Type: Lever Actuated Falling Block Single Shot Rifle with Double Set-Triggers
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT. CONN” and “CALIBRE 44”. The upper tang and the bottom of the barrel are marked with the serial number “155150”. The left of the receiver is marked “SHARPS RIFLE CO / PAT APR 6 1869”. The base of the rear sight is marked “R.S. LAWRENCE / PATENTED / FEB 15th 1859”. The bottom of the receiver to the left is marked “610”.
Barrel Length: 32” Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass blade in a base dovetailed to the front of the barrel. 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., 9.2 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth wood with pewter capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, storage compartment on the right side of the buttstock, and steel carbine-style buttplate. The forend has two significant cracks extending forward from the rear with surrounding spots of minor material loss. The right upper edge of the forearm also shows two splits in the wood, one midway and one towards the front. The belly shows a filled space where and inlay appears to have once been. The fill material shows little cracks and some loss. There are two notable gashes at the two exposing newer wood. There are several scattered nicks, scuffs, gashes, and compressions, most of which have darkened with age and handling. The LOP measures 12 7/8? and 13 3/4? from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. The plate has turned a mottled patina with erosion and scrapes at the heel and toe. Overall, the stocks are in about Fair-Good as repaired Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue, & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly dim with worn yet visible rifling. There is scattered light erosion and pitting in the bore.
Overall Condition: This gun retains about 45% of its current metal finish. The receiver’s case color has gone to a mottled patina with scattered surface oxidation and light pitting. The barrel shows erosion with some light pitting along the leading octagonal edges. There are several nicks, dings, and scratches throughout the metal surfaces with some of the more notable on the nose cap. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are legible. Overall, this gun rates in about Very Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The lever locks up tight. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a factory letter of authenticity.
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 manufactured in 1875, as indicated on the factory letter. The rifle has a 32? octagonal barrel chambered for the .44-77 Sharps cartridge. The rifle has matching serial numbers on the barrel and receiver and still retains strong mechanics. This rifle will make a nice addition or start to a Sharps rifle collection. Please see our photos and good luck!