Buffalo Rifle That Was Really There

[Shotgun Steve]

A great old actual buffalo rifle that was really there. THIS ONE WAS SENT TO LEE & REYNOLDS< CAMP SUPPLY ON 10-5-1877 from the Bridgeport factory. serial no 161929. caliber is 45-2& 7/8 (45-120). It has double set triggers weighs 13 lbs 13 ounces with a 30 inch barrel. the only negative is it has a period replacement butt stock off a sharps sporting rifle. all numbers match except for the butt plate. the bore is beautiful ,the markings very clear. a neat 1874 old reliable marked sharps. HOW MANY HAVE YOU EVER SEEN LETTERED TO INDIAN TERRITORY.
$21,OOO.OO

[Dr. Bob]

WOW!! Thanks!!  Gorgeous!!!

[Ruidoso]

A great piece of history for sure. But the 2 7/8" cartridge is a 45-110

[Stillwater]

Great Sharps post Steve, thank you for it.

I read in a book, that Sharps was asked to chamber a new rifle for .45 3 1/4. Sharps reply was that the shooter could get 120 grains of powder in a .45 2 7/8.

I don't know if that is a true quote or not, I don't know how much powder a person could get in a .45 2 7/8 case with a bullet. I just read that in a book.

$44.00 less 25%... I'm up for that...!

Bill

[Ranch 13]

 Sharps did offer the 2 7/8 inch case with a 120 grs of powder and 500 gr paper patched bullet. That's cause for a little confusion, but I believe they did eventually give in to customer requests and chamber the 3 1/4 in case just prior to closing the doors.
Winchester in later years did continue to sell 2 7/8 loaded ammo with 110 and 120 grs of powder with the 500 and 550 gr paper patched bullets, along with the 3 1/4 in case loaded with 120 grs of powder and 550 gr pp bullet.

[Stillwater]

Sharps did offer the 2 7/8 inch case with a 120 grs of powder and 500 gr paper patched bullet. That's cause for a little confusion, but I believe they did eventually give in to customer requests and chamber the 3 1/4 in case just prior to closing the doors.
Winchester in later years did continue to sell 2 7/8 loaded ammo with 110 and 120 grs of powder with the 500 and 550 gr paper patched bullets, along with the 3 1/4 in case loaded with 120 grs of powder and 550 gr pp bullet.

Thanks Ranch...

Bill

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Thanks for posting!

I ran across a photo of a Sharps that was used to hunt Buff and verified by letters from the owner documenting everything.  I don't know where it was sent to in Indiana (like the one YOU posted in this letter) but I got the photo from the James Julia Auction site.  This one (in my picture) was used by a Father/Son team, also from Indiana, and sold with a lot of original accessories from their 1 & 1/2 year trip, about 1878.

Here's the photo.  I wish it could be blown up more to see more detail.  This set-up brought $75,000 in 2006.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b70/m1a1mstrgn/Historical%20Items%20and%20Images/BuffHunterOutfit.jpg[/img]]


Some of the items that are hard to identify are:  the leather-bound rectangular box is for the sight and extra sight parts;  the un-opened ammo box is from Sharps, and holds 5 factory-loaded paper-patched cartridges;  the 3 loose rounds, also with PP projectiles are their own cast/reloaded rounds; the gadget with the 2 hooks and rings is a game scale that hangs from a tree branch; and the can of powder is still partially full.  The rest of the items are more identifiable: various moulds, lead pots and a lead ladle, powder horn (w/powder) Buffalo mittens, leather ammo belt & shoulder straps as well as another belt with a combination scabbard which holds the 2 knives and the sharpening steel that are visible.  The shipping crate is the original from Sharps and, IF I remember correctly, has the shipping paperwork included.  It stayed in the family in Indiana until sold.  (IMHO, it was sold when the descendants lost their sense of history and caved in to the lure of free money!  SHAME ON THEM !!)

[Shotgun Steve]

Great Photo SHB. That set has all the goodies. Like they say "If only it could talk!!"
Thanks for posting it...it's much appreciated. Take care.

Shotgun

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Great Photo SHB. That set has all the goodies. Like they say "If only it could talk!!"
Thanks for posting it...it's much appreciated. Take care.

Shotgun

Ain't that the truth!!

[O.T. Buchannan]

Wow....to have all of that stay together.  THAT is history!!!

[Short Knife Johnson]

Must... contain... jealous... rage...

RRAAAAWWWWRRR!!!