Sharps Rifle Model 1874 Carbine 50-70 Single Shot Rifle Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,827.26
LSB#: LSB260419DN033
Make: Sharps
Model: 1874 Carbine
Serial Number: 156657
Year of Manufacture: 1872-1878
Caliber: 50-70 Govt
Action Type: Single Shot, Lever Operated, Falling Block Action, Centerfire Rifle, with Double Set Triggers.
Barrel Length: 22″, The barrel has been replaced.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass blade pinned into a base soldered to the barrel. The original rear sight has been removed. There is a fixed U notch dovetailed into the barrel. The upper tang is drilled and tapped for a peep sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is two piece smooth walnut, banded forend, straight grip, straight comb, and smooth steel buttplate. The LOP is 13″ and 14″ from triggers to buttplate. There are scratches and compression dents throughout. There is a small crack behind the lower tang. There is a chip on the bottom of the forend. Overall this stock is in Fair to Good condition for refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued, Case Colored.
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. The rifling is sharp. There is no erosion. There is light scattered corrosion. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates 8/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 80% of its current finish. The receiver has not been refinished. The color case is muted and corrosion stained. The barrel gas been reblued. The markings are softened. There are scratches and light corrosion freckles. There is thinned bluing at the muzzle. The screws are tooled but serviceable. The markings are soft. Overall this rifle is in Fair to Good condition.
Mechanics: The action and trigger function correctly. 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 Sharps Model 1874 Carbine is an antique single-shot falling-block rifle chambered in .50-70 Government and dating to the 1872–1878 production period. It retains the core appeal of the Sharps pattern, with its lever-operated falling-block action, double set triggers, 22″ carbine-length barrel, banded forend, straight-grip walnut stock, and steel buttplate. The barrel has been replaced, and the original rear sight is no longer present, with a fixed U-notch sight now dovetailed into the barrel. The upper tang is drilled and tapped for a peep sight, offering a more traditional long-range sighting option if the next owner chooses to outfit it that way.
Condition is Fair to Good overall as a refinished and altered antique. The rifle retains about 80% of its current finish, with the replacement barrel having been reblued while the receiver appears not to have been refinished. The receiver’s case color is muted and corrosion-stained, and the rifle shows softened markings, scratches, light corrosion freckling, thinned blue at the muzzle, and tooled but serviceable screws. The refinished walnut stock shows scratches and compression dents throughout, with a small crack behind the lower tang and a chip on the bottom of the forend. These issues place the wood in Fair to Good condition and should be considered when evaluating the rifle’s originality and structural condition.
The bore is a positive feature, remaining bright with sharp rifling, no erosion, and only light scattered corrosion, rating 8/10 in this writer’s opinion. Mechanically, the action and double set triggers function correctly, though the rifle has not been test fired. As with any antique firearm, especially one with a replaced barrel and refinished components, a thorough cleaning and inspection by a qualified gunsmith would be prudent before firing. Overall, this is an interesting Sharps 1874 Carbine with strong historical character, functional mechanics, and a good bore, but its replaced barrel, refinished wood, altered sights, softened markings, and general wear place it more in the representative collector or shooter-restoration category than among high-originality Sharps examples. Please see our photos and good luck on your bids! MF