 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Original vintage 1874 Sharps business rifle-mfg 1877- w/ letter- Old Reliable
Guns International #: 102684567 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Antique Rifles - Cartridge - Sharps Rifles - Antique
Seller's Information
When emailing or calling sellers direct, please mention that you saw their listing on GunsInternational.com
Seller: jagdpolizei
Member Since: 10/13/17
First Name: Bruce
Last Name: McDermott
State: Montana
Zip: 59404
Country: United States
Phone: (406) 439-6185
Number of Active Listings: 0
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Bank cashier check, USPS money order, Bank Deposit
Description:
Description: Offered for your consideration is this rare Sharps "Business 45" rifle. It was made in Bridgeport, Conn by the Sharps Rifle Company in 1877 and is one of only 900 Business Rifles made in 45 caliber (45-70). The round barrel is 28 inches in length and the bore is amazingly good/shiny with sharp rifling for a rifle from the black powder age. I rate the bore a strong 7.5+ with excellent rifling from breech to muzzle, a few very light scattered pitts. I do not see the erosion forward of the chamber that is usually seen in the blackpowder guns.
This is actually a fine shooter- very accurate - my load of choice is 60 grs of pyrodex behind a 405 gr hollow base- I’ve shot at least 200 rds from this gun!!! The rear sight is the standard Lawrence ladder style, intact and works properly. A nice original vernier sight is also in place. The barrel exterior finish is a dark gray patina, the steel is smooth with old pitting cleared and snoothed over time. The barrel address is clear "SHARPS RIFLE CO BRIDGEPORT. CONN" and the "OLD RELIABLE" trademark is also nice and clear. ‘Business rifle’ is stamped forward of receiver on the barrel. The receiver is tight and solid, it operates smoothly and the double set triggers work as designed . The buttstock and forend are tight and solid, no cracks, chips, dents or extra holes. An original owner stamped his name ‘H Marx’ on the left receiver. Interestingly,
I found a record of ‘New Companies Mustered in showing a Major H. H. Marx in 1915, but I made the mistake of not recording theaddress where I printed it from.
Overall a fine and rare collectable SHARPS from the days of the buffalo hunt. The factory letter and photos of the actual Sharps records show this was shipped May 1, 1877. This rifle is one out of 20 rifles shipped in 2 cases to Kittredge on this date. As the letter states, ‘many collectors today consider Kittredge-shipped Sharps to be Western guns…..used in the Texas Buffalo Hunt period and later in the Northern Buffalo hunt’. The condition and well used exterior of this rifle pretty much guarantees it was a Buffalo gun. Further, 1877 was in the heyday of the western Buffalo (Bison) slaughter period.
The letter provides historical information about a Sharps rifle with serial #160627, which was manufactured in 1877 and sold to B. Kittredge & Co., a gun dealer in Cincinnati, Ohio. The rifle was a Model 1874 Business Rifle, .45 caliber, and priced at $35. The invoice also mentions the shipment of seven cases of rifles to Kittredge, indicating their significant wholesale trade in the late 19th century. The letter suggests that the Kittredge-shipped Sharps rifles were used in the Western United States, particularly in buffalo hunting. It also mentions the enclosed copies of original material related to these orders.
SOLD
Antique: Yes
Rifle Caliber: .45-70 Government
Manufacturer: Sharps
Model: 1874 Business Rifle
Serial Number: 160627
Condition: Good
Metal Condition: Good
Wood Condition: Good
Bore Condition: Good to Great
Barrel Type: Heavy bull
Action: Falling block
Triggers: Double set
Weight: 13 lb
Sights: Vernier peep and Lawrence ladder rear sight
Manufacture Date: 1877
Extras: Factory letter and 1877 shipment docs