Original Antique Sharps Model 1874 Military Rifle with factory letter

For sale is a rarely found original antique Sharps Model 1874 "Military" rifle. This rifle is in original configuration and features the early Hartford markings and factory parts to include the 30" round barrel, full length military stock, Lawrence patented rear sight and short lever lock with a single trigger. This rifle will include a factory letter which confirms the configuration and originality of this rifle based on the serial number, as well as its June 1st, 1873 shipment to Schuyler, Hartley & Graham. This particular rifle is chambered for the .50-70 Government cartridge which was standard for early military rifle's, and features the "L" marking on the left side of the chamber. 

The rifle is in very good condition mechanically. The stock is solid with no cracks, splits or chips. The metal finish has worn to an even brown patina, and has not been refinished best I can tell. The bore is dark with decent rifling which is typical for 150+ year old original black powder rifles, and it shoots quite well as the target picture will show. This rifle extracts and shoots as it should, and is a very above average example of an original Sharps rifle. The name "Bradley" was carved into the buttstock by someone at some point in the last 152 years, but its very faint. 

These rifles saw service both with US National Guard Units as well as extensive use on the American western frontier, notably among buffalo hunters in the early Kansas and Texas hunts. A total production of only 1,328 rifles in this configuration were manufactured at the Hartford factory. Further, this rifle is marked on the receiver with "E", "92" and "CO E" and the barrel with "CO E". I suspect based on fairly extensive research using California State Archives and sales records (digital scans incl) that this rifle was part of a large purchase by Col WHL Barnes from S,H & G for 500 rifles to be issued to the 1st Infantry Regiment of the California National Guard. I have documents from the California State Archives showing receipt of Sharps military rifles, notably being issued to Coy E to include muter rolls and target practice scores with their Sharps rifles. In 1875, the California National Guard adopted the Springfield Model 1873 rifle, and these Sharps were likely sold off as surplus. 

I will ship at cost if requested. Many more pictures available upon request, as well as scans of my research done on this rifle. Asking $5,000.