Original Antique Sharps Model 1874 .50 Calibre Military Rifle
- Category
- Firearms Rifles
- Classification
- No PAL Required
- Action
- Single-shot
- Manufacturer
- (other)
- Caliber
- 50-70 Govt.
- Hand
- Right Handed or Ambidextrous
Hello,
For sale is an original antique Sharps Model 1874 "Military" Rifle chambered for the .50-70 Cartridge. The factory letter included indicates that this rifle was manufactured in 1873 at the Hartford, Connecticut factory and shipped June 1st, 1873 to Schuyler, Hartley & Graham, retailors based in New York City. SH&G order records further indicate that on June 6th, 1873, 500 Sharps Military Rifles in .50 Calibre were sold from SH&G and shipped to "W.H.L. Barnes, San Francisco, Cal".
Col WHL Barnes was the commanding officer of the 1st Infantry Regiment of the California National Guard, which included several companies (including "Company E"). Further records confirm that Col WHL Barnes outfitted the regiment with .50 Calibre Sharps Military rifles in late June of 1873, until they were replaced in 1875 with the US Model 1873 "Trapdoor" Springfields, at which time these Sharps were almost certainly sold off.
Given the receiver markings "E", "92" and "CO E" I believe this rifle is #92 of Company E. of the 1st Infantry Regiment of the California National Guard. These .50 Calibre Sharps "Military" model Rifles were very popular during the early days of the Kansas and Texas Buffalo hunts as they were less expensive when compared to a sporting rifle and were chambered for the heavy .50 calibre government cartridge, which was common on the frontier.
Overall the rifle is in VG mechanical condition, with solid stocks and a good mechanical lock up. I do not believe this rifle has been refinished in any way. The name "Bradley" is very faintly marked on the buttstock, likely done a long time ago. The bore is a bit dark with some scattered pitting, but has sharp rifling and shoots quite well. I have shot approx. 80x rounds of .50-70 through this rifle using proper Starline brass, Goex powder, Soft .512dia 450gr bullets and have had great results. This rifle is an outstanding piece of history that can still be easily shot and used.
Asking $4000 + shipping and that will include the factory letter and the digital research records I have from the California State Archives on the 1st Infantry Regiment of the California National Guard showing these rifles and their issue to guardsmen.
Partial trade for a proper matching 1942 or 1943 Long Branch No4 Lee Enfield.
