This Sharps rifle, by Shiloh Sharps, is offered as used with some small handling marks on the stock, some fading on the color case hardened finish. Stocked in a figured walnut the rifle has a 30" tapered octagon barrel chambered for the .45 2-1/10 or .45-70 Gov't cartridge. The 1874 Sharps Rifle is a favorite rifle for long range black powder cartridge shooters. This 10.2 pound rifle is an excellent choice for shooting iron silhouettes, buffalo matches, and steel gongs at 400 and 600 yards, yet it is not so heavy that is couldn't be fired off hand. The weight is a great advantage when shooting from a rest, and it greatly reduces recoil. This rifle it qualifies for FFL transfer and can be picked up by a Minnesota resident, or it must be shipped to a FFL dealer in another state.

Chambered in the popular .45-2-1/10 or .45-70 Gov't cartridge, we strongly prefer black powder handloads. The bore is bright and has been well maintained. You can easily assemble your own cartridges using our inexpensive reloading tools and molds. We recommend cast lead alloy bullets, lubed with SPG lubricant, over our thin card wad. The 30" barrel is fitted with a blade front sight and a barrel mounted full buckhorn ladder sight marked out to 800 yards.

This Sharps Rifle is stocked in figured walnut with a deep red undertone. The stock is shaped with a pistol grip and fitted with a checkered hard rubber buttplate. The stock has a few minor handling marks. Architectural details include the semi-circular flat on the walnut forend, in front of the action. Our bottom view shows the color case hardened lever and the rear of the lever has faded to a silver gray from handling. Notice the tiny lug at the front of the lever, which stops the lever while the extractor is seated. Press the lever slightly forward, while open. This over-travel causes the extractor to snap rearward, ejecting the fired cartridge.

The receiver, hammer, lever, and triggerplate, are color case hardened. All the screws are blued for contrast. All the screw have crisp clean slots. The 1874 Sharps lock action is smooth and crisp, with a reliable half-cock safety notch positioned just above the firing pin. A fly detent in the tumbler insures perfect action and fast lock time, when using the set trigger. The double set trigger has double levers allowing you to cock the lock, or set the trigger, in any sequence. When fired from the front trigger alone, trigger release is a normal 2 to 3 pounds. When fired with the rear trigger set, the front trigger release may be adjusted to nearly zero, using the set screw between the triggers.We strongly recommend using these set triggers for dry fire practice, which is perfectly harmless, provided that the hammer is fully down, not at the half-cock safety notch. Dry firing, at a small black dot on a white piece of paper, each evening, is the best way to develop skills, practice follow-through, and to eliminate the tendency to flinch during recoil.

A used Shiloh Sharps 1874 rifle in a popular caliber with a modest weight. This rifle would make a very nice hunting rifle, or add a Vernier sight from longer range target shooting. This rifle will require load development, and fine tuning, for serious target competition. We enjoy casting bullets, hand loading black powder cartridges, and enjoyable afternoons at our local 100, 200, 400, and 600 yard range. If you enjoy shooting, recording results, and creating loads, order this rifle, today. Order it for a ten day visual inspection. You will be delighted. Else if it does not fit you, return it in unfired condition for same-day refund. Postage is your only risk, when you order any one-of-a-kind gun from Track, whether new, used, or antique.