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LOT 49
Documented Sharps Model 1874 Business Rifle in .45-70 with
Extremely Rare Complete Buffalo Hunter’s Outfit - Serial no. 160704,
45-70 Government cal., 30 3/8 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish,
walnut stock. Sharps Model 1874 rifles were manufactured
from 1871 to September 1880. Though one of the most
popular rifles for big game hunting in the American
West in the latter part of the 19th century, production
was rather limited, and the company closed in 1881.
The Sharps was particularly popular with
buffalo hunters during the heyday of
the hunts in the 1870s-1880s. Hunting
bison was often a commercial
endeavor with professional hunters,
skinners, gun cleaners, and others all
part of a large team to collect bison
hides used for various products. The
Sharps was preferred because it was
accurate and reliable and came in
powerful cartridges, including .45-70
Government, that could take down bison
from 100+ yards. Though the rifles were
popular with buffalo hunters, they rarely
are accompanied by other equipment
from the famed buffalo hunts. This
extremely rare set features a classic Sharps
Model 1874 rifle as well as numerous accessories from the 19th century
American West, including a buffalo hide case for the rifle.
This extremely rare buffalo hunting outfit’s Sharps Model 1874 rifle is
documented by a copy of a factory letter which indicates this rifle “is listed
in Order Book No. 7 as a Model 1874 Business Rifle and was invoiced at
the Bridgeport factory on April 1, 1878 to Arthur S. Winchester, President
of the Sharps Rifle Company.” This was one of thirty Business Rifles in .40
caliber and 70 in .45 caliber listed on Winchester’s account. The ultimate
destination of the rifles is not noted. Arthur St. Clair Winchester also held
business interests in the Adams Nickel Plate Co. and the Continental
Insurance Co. and took over as president and treasurer of Sharps following
Edward G. Westcott.
Per Frank Sellers in “Sharps Firearms,” only 1,604 Model 1874 Business Rifles
were manufactured, all at Bridgeport between August 1876 and September
1880. Of these, approximately 900 were “Business 45” rifles in .45-70. The
rifle is fitted with a heavy octagon barrel marked with a boxed “Old Reliable”
followed by “SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT. CONN.” ahead of the rear sight
and “45” at the breech on the top flat. The bottom barrel flat under the
forearm is marked with the matching serial number in individually stamped
numerals with the 6 smaller than the others followed by a spread wing
eagle. The inside of the forearm is also numbered to the gun. The barrel
is equipped with a Rocky Mountain front sight with brass blade and an
unmarked buckhorn and folding ladder rear sight. The lock is
has no visible markings.
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