Sharps 1874 .44 Caliber Sporting Rifle (AL5232)

Sharps 1874 .44 caliber sporting rifle. Comes with factory letter. Invoiced by the factory on October 23, 1874, to Tom J. Crowland, Evens, Colorado Territory. It is described in the record as a .44 caliber, case length not specified, with a 30” octagon barrel, double triggers, open sights, and oil-finished stocks. The rifle is still in the desirable configuration. The bore is excellent. Barrel is numbered to the receiver. It has the normal Sharps marking on the top flat and caliber .44 above the chamber. It has approximately 90% blue. The action has a smooth even silvered patina. The forend is good with carry wear on the bottom. The butt stock has carry dents and dings and a burned area forward of the butt plate tang, where it obviously got too close to a campfire. It adds a lot of character! The action functions correctly with the adjustable set trigger, currently being a “hair” trigger. The factory letter has additional details on the rifle’s cost and accessories ordered with it. Evens is in Weld county in Northwestern Colorado. Game, including groups of buffalo, were plentiful in 1874. Further research may provide details on Tom J. Crowland. This is a great example of an 1874 Sharps sporting rifle that was used in the West.