.44-75. 28" octagonal barrel. SN: 157591. Blued and color casehardened finish, iron furniture, smooth walnut straight gripped stock with checkered steel shotgun buttplate, smooth Schnabel forend without cap. Unmarked lock, barrel marked "CALIBRE 44" near receiver, "SHARPS RIFLE CO BRIDGEPORT. CONN." in front of the rear barrel sight and with the boxed "OLD RELIABLE" trademark as well. Reverse of receiver marked "SHARPS RIFLE CO/PAT APR 6th 1869". Serial number stamped across top of tang. Double set triggers, folding ladder rear sight, dovetailed front sight with German silver blade in steel base. Forend with notched wear associated with the use of crossed shooting sticks by buffalo hunters. Rifle is accompanied by an October 7, 1992 dated "factory letter" from Dr. R.L. Moore Jr confirming the configuration and caliber of the gun, which additionally notes that it weighed in at 10 pounds, 10 ounces, was priced at $40 and was invoiced on August 2, 1876 to St. Louis, MO Sharps dealer H. Folsom & Co. An honest, well used Sharps Rifle that no doubt spent a significant amount of its working life on the plains and prairies of the west in search of game.