1874 Sharps No. 3 Rifle, caliber .45-70 Gov't, 32" standard octagon barrel, checkered walnut, color case hardened trim, globe front sight, tang sight, used, mfg. by Davide Pedersoli & Co.

Part Number: AAU-842 Availability: Price: $1,489.00 Special Restrictions Apply Not available for export outside the U.S.A. Must be delivered to a Minnesota resident, or a Federal Firearms Licensed dealer in any other state. A signed copy of your dealer's FFL license is required before shipment.

This 1874 Sharps rifle, by Davide Pedersoli has a checkered walnut buttstock and forearm, The 32" octagon barrel is chambered for the popular .45-70 Government cartridge. The rifle is fitted with a Pedersoli globe front sight and Vernier tang sight with Hadley eye disk. This rifle is used with scattered handling marks on the stock, and some scruff marks on the blued barrel finish. The buttstock also has a small wood block mounted on the right hand side that was previously used to mount a detachable cheek rest. This 11.3 pound rifle is an excellent choice for iron silhouettes, buffalo matches, and steel gongs at 400 and 600 yards. The weight is a great advantage when shooting from a rest and it greatly reduces recoil. The trigger reach is 14" to fit todays average size shooter. This is a favorite rifle for long range black powder cartridge shooters.

This Sharps rifle is stocked in a very straight grain piece of walnut. The stock finish has developed some chipping down to the lighter wood at the edge of the checkering The rifle has a Schnabel style forearm, and case colored receiver, hammer, lever, and triggerplate. The military style buttplate has a modest curve to engage the shooter's shoulder. This rifle is fitted with a 5" Pedersoli Vernier tang sight with both windage and elevation adjustments. The mainspring mounting screw displays some damage to the slot. The Vernier sight is fitted with a Pedersoli Hadley eye disk to allow changing the aperture to suit available light conditions. The barrel has the factory ladder sight mounted, and it appears the ears of the sight have been reduced in height and are bright on the top. The front sight is Pedersoli globe sight designed to accept inserts, no inserts are included. The knurling on the end of the sight displays some damage from grabbing with a tool with teeth. The barrel also has some scratches and scuff marks at the muzzle. The sight is inverted from the typical installation with the threaded section just behind the muzzle.

The top view shows the tapered comb of the Sharps buttstock and you can see the small block mounted to the right hand side just behind the front edge of the comb. Notice that the octagon flats of the barrel flare to round, before they enter the action. This classic feature, found on most Bridgeport made Sharps rifles, is called the tulip. The toe of the stock shows some scattered marks. The wrist is checkered for a secure grip. Architectural details include the semi-circular flat on the walnut forend, in front of the action, a nice touch. The color case hardened lever has a 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.Nearly all required factory markings are on the bottom flat of the barrel, ahead of the forend, another nice touch. The tiny government proof mark is along the front edge of the action.

Correctly color case hardened, in subtle shades of blues, purples, greys, with faint yellow undertones, this big lock is quite attractive. The 1874 Sharps lock action has the earlier 1863 Sharps tumbler with the half-cock safety notch positioned well above the firing pin. A fly détente 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.

Chambered in the caliber, 45-70 Government cartridge. You can easily assemble your own cartridges using our inexpensive reloading tools and molds. The bore is .450" with .457" grooves, and a fast 1 turn in 18" twist. We recommend 500 grain cast lead alloy bullets, sized .458", with SPG lubricant, over our thin card wad. You will discover that full black powder loads require our inexpensive compression die. If you compress black powder using the bullet, the nose of the bullet will often be slightly deformed.

This rifle 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. 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 yard range. If you enjoy shooting, recording results, and creating accurate handloads, this rifle is perfect for you. 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.

Track of the Wolf, Inc.
18308 Joplin St NW
Elk River, MN 55330-1773
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