Sharps reportedly manufactured approximately 6,400 of these sporting rifles in a variety of configurations between 1871 to 1880 according to production figures listed on page 218 of "Sharps Firearms" by Sellers. Includes a copy of a factory letter that lists this rifle by serial number as invoiced January 5, 1878, to western dealer Ben Kittredge and Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, noted as a "Model 1874 Sporting Octagon Rifle" in .40 caliber with a full 30 inch octagon barrel, double set triggers, open sights, oil finished stocks, weight listed as 12 1/4 pounds, and list price of $45. These Sharps Model 1874 rifles were a highly valued arm on the frontier, not only due to their firepower, but also their long range accuracy. They were popular for both protection and hunting, seeing widespread use throughout the turbulent American west and commonly referred to as "buffalo rifles," as used by the commercial hunters of the period. This example features double set triggers and a 30 inch octagon barrel, with a dovetail mounted blade front sight and a Lawrence patent notch and ladder rear sight. The top barrel flat is marked with the boxed "Old Reliable" ahead of the Sharps Bridgeport address, with "CALIBRE 40" at the breech and "2 1/4" upside down on the right barrel flat at the breech, indicating chambering for the .40-70 Sharps necked (.40 2 1/4) cartridge. The left side of the receiver is marked with the two-line Sharps 1869 patent date, and the matching serial number "160602" is marked horizontally on top of the receiver and on bottom of the barrel. It is mounted with a smooth walnut forearm with pewter end cap and straight grip stock with a flat checkered steel buttplate.

Very good, exhibiting plenty of frontier character, with the exposed surfaces exhibiting mostly smooth brown patina with scattered natural frontier freckling, strong original blue finish showing in the concealed area of the barrel hidden beneath the forearm, strong traces of original case colors in a few of the protected areas with some areas of silvering on the action, and mostly defined markings in the metal. Wood is good as sanded and re-oiled, with a filled in replacement section visible on the right edge of the forearm, a crack on the right side of the wrist with a small filled in spot, various minor hairline cracks at the edges, and some general frontier dings and scratches. Mechanically fine. This "frontier issued" Sharps Model 1874 sporting buffalo rifle would make a proud addition to any western or Americana collection!