Sharps Model 1874 rifles were manufactured from 1871 to September 1880. Though one of the most popular rifles for big game hunting in the American West in the latter part of the 19th century, production was rather limited, and the company closed in 1881. The Sharps was particularly popular with buffalo hunters during the heyday of the hunts in the 1870s-1880s. Hunting bison was often a commercial endeavor with professional hunters, skinners, gun cleaners, and others all part of a large team to collect bison hides used for various products. The Sharps was preferred because it was accurate and reliable and came in powerful cartridges, including .45-70 Government, that could take down bison from 100+ yards. Though the rifles were popular with buffalo hunters, they rarely are accompanied by other equipment from the famed buffalo hunts. This extremely rare set features a classic Sharps Model 1874 rifle as well as numerous accessories from the 19th century American West, including a buffalo hide case for the rifle. This extremely rare buffalo hunting outfit's Sharps Model 1874 rifle is documented by a copy of a factory letter which indicates this rifle "is listed in Order Book No. 7 as a Model 1874 Business Rifle and was invoiced at the Bridgeport factory on April 1, 1878 to Arthur S. Winchester, President of the Sharps Rifle Company." This was one of thirty Business Rifles in .40 caliber and 70 in .45 caliber listed on Winchester's account. The ultimate destination of the rifles is not noted. Arthur St. Clair Winchester also held business interests in the Adams Nickel Plate Co. and the Continental Insurance Co. and took over as president and treasurer of Sharps following Edward G. Westcott. Per Frank Sellers in "Sharps Firearms," only 1,604 Model 1874 Business Rifles were manufactured, all at Bridgeport between August 1876 and September 1880. Of these, approximately 900 were "Business 45" rifles in .45-70. The rifle is fitted with a heavy octagon barrel marked with a boxed "Old Reliable" followed by "SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT. CONN." ahead of the rear sight and "45" at the breech on the top flat. The bottom barrel flat under the forearm is marked with the matching serial number in individually stamped numerals with the 6 smaller than the others followed by a spread wing eagle. The inside of the forearm is also numbered to the gun. The barrel is equipped with a Rocky Mountain front sight with brass blade and an unmarked buckhorn and folding ladder rear sight. The lock is has no visible markings. The left side of the receiver is marked with the two-line Sharps patent date, and the serial number is marked on top of the frame. The rifle is equipped with double set triggers and is mounted with a smooth walnut forearm and straight grip stock with an iron buttplate. The whole outfit was featured in the "Roll of Honor" in "Man at Arms for the Gun and Sword Collector" Volume 27, No. 3, 2005 where it is described as: "A commercial buffalo hunter's outfit, including Sharps Model 1874 Old Reliable Sporting Rifle, serial number 160704, .45 caliber with 30 3/8-inch octagonal barrel. Included are many accessories, tools and cases, mostly covered in buffalo fur...The original owner of this outfit was Charles Parker, a native of Vincennes, Vermont, before moving West. This equipment would have been carried to the hunt in a wagon and contained all of the tools of Parker's trade. The condition and overall completeness of this rig may make it unique. Collection of Jerry Castor and Andy Wall." They also note that the set includes "A buffalo fur-covered traveling box for the rifle, a buffalo fur-covered knife block holding eleven knives and a sharpener, another cylindrical knife block with six knives [one absent] and a sharpener, a nine-inch wooden canteen, various heavy knives, an unusual buffalo-hide document case, photographs of the hunter's brother, buffalo skinners and a mounted buffalo head." Provenance: Buffalo Hunter Charles Parker; The Collection of Jerry Castor and Andy Wall; Private Collection

Very good "frontier issued" appearance overall with the barrel a mottled brown patina, mottled gray and silver-gray patina on the remaining metal surfaces, and mild overall wear. The wood has been freshened with a coat of varnish and has some sections absent from the edges of the forearm and below the lock, some cracks and repairs, and scattered dings and dents overall. Mechanically fine. The various accessories are generally good to very good for their age with some accumulated dust, patches of lost fur, moderate wear, one buckle strap torn, aged patina and expected swelling of the handles on the various knives and sharpeners as well some pitting and oxidation on the blades. The photos are all good showing some age and storage wear. Everything was cared for not only during its use, but when it was stored thereafter. The entire set makes a fascinating display of a buffalo hunter's outfit. Most collectors will not even have the opportunity to see a similar set, and they are nearly impossible to acquire.