This is a very fine example of a Sharps Model 1874 Mid-Range, No. 1 Rifle that was manufactured at the Bridgeport, Connecticut factory between 1876 and 1879. The rifle has a blued octagon barrel and color casehardened receiver, hammer, lever and buttplate. The walnut pistol grip stock and Bridgeport style "Schnable" forearm have an "extra-varnish" finish. The stock has a steel shotgun buttplate with heavy checkering. The sides and bottom on the pistol grip and the forearm have fine checkering. The receiver has a standard single trigger with knurled face. The tang is fitted with a folding Vernier sight with eye cup. The left side of the sight stem is graduated from 0 to 9 and the left side of the base is numbered "160244". The barrel is fitted with a dovetail mounted windgauge front sight with removable spirit level and a standard Lawrence high notch rear sight with blank sight leaf. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the script "OLD RELIABLE" trademark in an octagonal bracket followed by "SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT CONN." in one line ahead of the rear sight. "CALIBRE 40" is roll-stamped on the top of the barrel just ahead of the receiver. The left side of the receiver is roll-stamped "SHARPS RIFLE CO/PAT APR 6 1869" in two lines. The serial number, "161826" is located on the top of the receiver behind the loading groove. The Sharps Rifle Company manufactured 66 No. 1 Model 1874 Mid-Range rifles at the Bridgeport factory between 1876 and 1879.
BBL: 30 inch octagonal
Stock: walnut checkered
Gauge: 40-70 Sharps
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 161826

Very fine. The barrel has 95% of the blue finish intact with only traces of wear on the muzzle and edges of the flats. The markings are crisp. The Lawrence rear sight has nearly all of the casehardened finish. The receiver, hammer, breechblock and lever retain 50% of the muted case colors. There is some silvering on the high points on the left side of the receiver. The buttplate has sharp checkering but the case colors have faded to a silver patina. The case colors on the Vernier rear sight have aged to a dark patina. The refinished stock and forearm are both in fine condition with sharp checkering and minimal handling and storage marks. The extra-varnish finish has some very minor handling wear on the left stock wrist and the left side of the comb. This is an attractive example of a very desirable Sharps Model 1874 Mid-Range No. 1 rifle.