Sharps Model 1874 Sporting Rifle 44 Cal 30″ Octagon with Scope Antique
SOLD FOR: $2,863.00
LSB#: LSB260302TW001
Make: Sharps
Model: 1874 Sporting Rifle
Serial Number: C53798
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1870s-1880s
Caliber: 44 cal, case length not specified. We believe it to possibly be 44/90 or 44/100 but please chamber cast to confirm.
Action Type: Single shot, falling block, centerfire, rifle.
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “Sharps Rifle Manufg. Co. Hartford, Conn/ Lower, Calibre 44”. The left side of the receiver is marked “Sharps Rifle Co, Pat Apr 6, 1869, C.Sharps Pat Sept 12, 1848”. The serial number on the bottom of the barrel doesn’t match the receiver, it is “C54099”.
Barrel Length: 30″ octagon
Sights / Optics: The iron sights have been removed. There is a vintage scope installed in externally adjustable mounts. The objective lens and internals are missing leaving just a tube.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is two piece smooth walnut, pewter forend tip, semi pistol grip, straight comb, and horn buttplate. The LOP is 14 1/2″ from trigger to buttplate. The stocks have been refinished at some point. There are some stain runs under the finish. There are light scratches and compression dents throughout. There are no chips or cracks. Overall this stock is in Very Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued, Color Cased
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi bright. The rifling is well defined. There is light erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates a 7/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 40% of its original finish. Much of the metal has worn to brown patina with corrosion staining. There are nicks and scratches throughout. There is some light pitting in a few spots. The color case has faded and been replaced with corrosion staining. The screw heads are lightly tooled but serviceable. The markings are faded in areas but most are legible. Overall this rifle is in Good to Very Good condition.
Mechanics: This rifle is in functional condition. The safety notch and full cock notch are good. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms a full cleaning may be necessary to meet your standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: scope as described above.
Our Assessment: This Sharps Model 1874 Sporting Rifle is an antique black powder cartridge rifle from the famed Sharps Rifle Company, produced during the 1870s–1880s era and chambered in a .44 caliber cartridge believed to possibly be .44/90 or .44/100, though a chamber cast is strongly recommended for confirmation. The rifle features a 30″ octagon barrel, falling-block action, pewter forend tip, semi-pistol grip stock, horn buttplate, and a vintage externally adjustable scope mount arrangement. The Sharps Hartford markings and classic sporting-rifle configuration give the rifle strong buffalo-hunting and long-range frontier-era appeal, even though the iron sights have been removed.
Condition is Good to Very Good overall, with the rifle retaining about 40% of its original finish. Much of the metal has worn to a brown patina with corrosion staining, scattered nicks and scratches, and some localized pitting. The faded case colors have largely transitioned to aged patina. The markings remain mostly legible despite some fading, and the lightly tooled screw heads are still serviceable. The walnut stock set has been refinished and remains attractive overall, showing light scratches, compression dents, and visible stain runs beneath the finish, but no cracks or chips. The mismatched barrel serial number is a significant originality note, indicating the barrel and receiver did not begin life together.
The bore is semi-bright with well-defined rifling, though light erosion and pitting are present throughout, rating 7/10 in this writer’s opinion. Mechanically, the rifle appears functional, with both the safety notch and full-cock notch operating properly, though the rifle has not been test fired. The included vintage scope is incomplete, with the objective lens and internal optics missing, leaving only the tube and mounts. Overall, this is a visually striking Sharps 1874 Sporting Rifle with strong frontier-era character, desirable octagon-barrel configuration, and period-style scoped appearance, though the mismatched barrel, refinished wood, missing scope internals, and moderate finish wear place it more in the representative collector and restoration-interest category than among high-originality Sharps sporting rifles. Please see our photos and good luck on your bids! MF