C. Sharps Arms Model 1874 Old Reliable 30″ .45-90 2 4/10″ Single Shot Rifle
SOLD FOR: $3324
LSB#: 220407JL002
Make: C. Sharps Arms Co.
Model: 1874 Old Reliable Heavy Target Rifle
Serial Number: 74-1549
Year of Manufacture: 1992-2019
Caliber: .45-90 Sharps 2 4/10″ (2.4”) .
Action Type: Single Shot Lever Operated Falling Block Action with Double Set-Trigger
Markings: The top of the barrel at the front of the forend is marked “Old Reliable” in a banner. The top of the barrel behind the rear sight is marked “C. SHARPS ARMS CO. INC. / BIG TIMBER, MONTANA, U.S.A.” and near the receiver with ”CAL. 45 2 4/10”. The left side of the receiver is marked “C. SHARPS ARMS CO. INC. / BIG TIMBER, MT. U.S.A. / 74-1549”.
Barrel Length: The heavy octagon barrel is 30” in length and 1.22” flat-flat at the muzzle.
Sights / Optics: There are no sights installed or included. There is a dovetail at the front of the barrel which is currently empty. At the rear is a dovetail filled with a blank and a drilled, tapped and filled hole. The top tang is drilled and tapped for a tang sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth fancy walnut. The buttstock has a pistol grip with a checkered case colored steel shotgun style buttplate and the forend has is inlet with a pewter nosepiece. There is a brown suede cheekpiece velcro’d to buttstock at the front of the comb. There is a spot of scratches above the stock screw in the left side of the wrist, a few dings and drag lines in the forend, two dings in the nosecap, and a few light handling marks scattered over the stocks. The LOP measures 14 1/2” from the front of the forward trigger and 13 5/8” from the front of the rear trigger to the back of the buttplate, which shows light wear in its checkering. The buttplate is in about Fine Plus condition. The stock rates in about Fine Plus condition.
Type of Finish: The barrel is blued and the receiver, hammer and lever are case colored.
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is a small, light mark in one of the grooves about 2” from the muzzle.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. The finish is lightly thinning on the edges of the barrel. There is a scratch through the finish in the underside of the barrel, a mark through the finish in the lower tang from the lever, a few light marks in the lever, and a few more scattered over the barrel and receiver. The screw heads are mostly sharp, with a few showing light marks from a screwdriver. The markings are crisp. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. As currently adjusted, and with the rear trigger set, the front breaks crisply at 9 ozs. The hammer has a 1/8 cock safety position. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: This is a historical reproduction of a Sharps rifle by the C. Sharps Arms Co. of Big Timber, Montana, which they call their 1874 Sharps “Old Reliable” model. This rifle has a very heavy 30” long octagon barrel chambered in .45-90 Sharps, a fancy walnut stock with pistol grip and flat shotgun style buttplate and a silver colored nosecap inlet into the front of the forend. The rifle has double set triggers and is set up to accommodate most of the popular sights for this rifle, though no sights are currently installed. The rifle is in about Excellent condition with 98% of its original finish remaining, and has a bright bore with sharp rifling. The rifle can be used for big game hunting, but it is very heavy, and you probably wouldn’t want to carry it around all day. It will also be great for Sharps enthusiasts and black powder target shooters. Please see our photos and good luck!