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JG001 Sharps Model 1874 Octagon Sporting Rifle, .44/90/450 (.44x2-5/8”) with fine bore …about an 8+ on a scale of 10, very uncommon and rarely seen overlength 32” full octagon barrel. Desireable double-set triggers that are functional and operating correctly. The exterior of this handsome Sharps “Old Reliable” retains about 95% coverage of a 90% density original barrel blue with the frame and lever showing an even faded thin greys of casecoloring. It also has the standard Lawrence rear barrel sight, and that fitted with the J.P.Lower style full buckhorn elevation ladder; front sight is the standard Rocky Mountain style with removable blade. The wood has just the usual light bumps and nicks, but has had an old well done period repair to the wrist area just above the rear of the lockplate, as can be seen in the photos. The original sliver was used in this repair and is sound and not all that distracting to the appearance, but must be noted. The buttplate has some minor light crustiness from standing on a damp surface, but not deeply pitted and should clean to match the rest of the case hardened parts. As can be seen in the accompanying factory records letter, this fine old rifle was shipped with a plain trigger, but was almost sure to have been shipped West (as also noted in that letter), and most likely wholesaled to J.P. Lower in Denver, who then fitted it with his unique style rear sight and also with the highly desired double-set triggers, as these were preferred by serious market hunters. This period of time (1877) was at the height of the buffalo hide era, and the .44/90/450 was then the preferred cartridge for the longer shots needed at that time, since the herds had become far more wary of the hunters and stayed further out of range ….400-500 yard shots were common. This rifle is a fine example of a special ordered gun that has had excellent care over most of its 130+ year life. It is a consigned piece to me from a serious Sharps collector who has owned it for the last two decades and is now just thinning out his collection …and it is a great opportunity to get a really nice lettered and unusual Sharps at a very reasonable price. About “Fine-Ex.Fine” as described. $9750

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