Sharps Model 1874 Sporting Rifle Old Reliable 45-70 Gov 30″ Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,682.00
LSB#: LSB260302TW003
Make: Sharps
Model: 1874 Sporting Rifle
Serial Number: C36345
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1870s-1880s
Caliber: 45-70 Government, 45 2 1/10″
Action Type: Single shot, falling block, centerfire, rifle, with double set triggers.
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “Old Reliable, Sharps Rifle Co. Bridgeport, CT, Calibre 45 2 1/10”. The serial number is marked on the upper tang. The serial number on the bottom of the barrel matches the receiver.
Barrel Length: 30″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass blade dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is Lawrence patent sliding ladder sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is two piece smooth walnut, schnabel forend tip, straight grip, straight comb with pancake cheekpiece, and semi Schuetzen buttplate. The LOP is 12 1/4″ and 13 1/4″ from triggers to buttplate. The stocks have been refinished. There are scratches and compression dents throughout, some of which have been finished over. There are small nicks and chips throughout. There are no major structural cracks. Overall this stock is in Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued, Color Cased
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is well defined. There is light erosion and pitting throughout. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates 6/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains virtually none of its original finish. The metal has worn to brown patina and corrosion staining. There are scratches and nicks scattered throughout. The color case is muted and worn to patina. The screw heads are tooled but serviceable. The markings are clear. Overall this rifle is in Fair to Good condition.
Mechanics: This rifle is in semi functional condition. The half cock safety notch is not functional. The double set trigger functions as correct. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms a full cleaning may be necessary to meet your standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: This Sharps Model 1874 Sporting Rifle is an antique falling-block single-shot rifle chambered in .45-70 Government and marked “Old Reliable,” one of the most iconic names associated with Sharps sporting and buffalo rifles of the American frontier era. Produced during the 1870s–1880s period, the rifle features a 30″ barrel, Lawrence patent sliding ladder sight, double set triggers, schnabel forend, pancake cheekpiece, and semi-Schuetzen buttplate, all of which give it the appearance of a serious long-range sporting rifle from the black powder cartridge era. The matching serial number on the underside of the barrel is a desirable originality feature.
Condition is Fair to Good overall. The rifle retains virtually none of its original finish, with the metal surfaces having worn to a brown patina with corrosion staining, scattered scratches, and nicks throughout. The muted case colors have faded largely to patina, though the Sharps markings remain clear and the tooled screw heads are still serviceable. The walnut stocks have been refinished and show scratches, compression dents, small chips, and handling wear, some of which were finished over during refinishing. While refinishing reduces collector originality, the stock remains structurally solid with no major cracks and still presents attractively in a classic Sharps sporting configuration.
The bore is gray with well-defined rifling, though light erosion and pitting are present throughout, rating 6/10 in this writer’s opinion. Mechanically, the rifle is only semi-functional, as the half-cock safety notch is not working correctly, though the double set trigger mechanism functions properly. The rifle has not been test fired, and a thorough inspection by a qualified gunsmith would be prudent before any firing use. Overall, this is an appealing and historically evocative Sharps “Old Reliable” sporting rifle with strong frontier-era character, desirable Sharps features, and matching major components, though its worn finish, refinished wood, and partial mechanical issues place it more firmly in the representative collector category than among premium-condition Sharps rifles. Please see our photos and good luck with your bids! MF