[jdzara]

I was looking at a repro Sharps model 1874 rifle.
The peculiar thing was that the only markings on it were:
OLD RELIABLE, the Calibre and SHARPS RIFLE CO BRIDGEPORT CONN.
stamped on the octagonal barrel. The rifle is like new, and the stamping size is unlike an original.
The Serial number on the tang is 11.
Anyone know who made these?
Thanks,
Jerry

[Steven Mace]

Jerry, are you able to post pictures of your Sharps rifle?

Steve Mace

[41magsnub]

Would it be from these guys?

http://www.shilohrifle.com/

The one I have does have "Old Reliable" stamped on it.

[jdzara]

Here are photos, maybe.
Jerry

[jdzara]

As I said the stamping don't look legit and the rifle is way too new for
a Bridgeport Sharps( factory closed in 1881). If it's an import wouldn't it have to have country of origin stamped on it?
Jerry

[Iggy]

IIRC Sharp's Mfg rifles would be marked with the calibre and the length of case rather than powder and projectile weight.. 45 2/10" rather than 45-70 for example.

Maybe some one has re-barreled a repro of some sort

[Jim K]

A picture of a Sharps barrel:

Jim

[jdzara]

Thanks Jim & Iggy,
I wonder if if was a "special run" made for "collectors" by one of the foreign
companies?
Jerry

[Jim K]

I think it was just a repro that someone decided to put the original words on. I doubt it is a "fake" as such, because it is a very poor one, but many of the Italian repros have had the markings of the originals just to lend some degree of association. Collectors are generally not interested in repros, but the large number of black powder shooters like those guns. Removing the barrel might show proof marks.

(Sometimes not even a different marking style and different lettering will keep someone with too much money and too little knowledge from making a fool of himself. I once saw a guy pay $2000 for a repro "Spiller and Burr" with "Made in Italy" ground off; if he is reading this, I do mean folks like him.)

Jim

[jdzara]

Jim,
Thanks again, I removed the forearm and there's nothing there, no proof marks no stampings of any kind. The only thing on the action is the number 11
on the tang. The number11 is stamped on the extractor, but no other markings. Maybe it was "De-Farbed".
Jerry

[Jim Watson]

The breech end of the barrel, unlike either Hartford or Bridgeport styles of original or close replica Sharps, is characteristic of the guns sold here by Sile, made in Italy by I.A.B.

There ought to be Italian proof marks somewhere, maybe under the foreend, if it were sold here as a complete gun. However, there were a bunch of parts sets sold here at one time and they may not be proofed or branded.

.45-100 would likely be the 2 6/10" Sharps case.

[jdzara]

Jim W.,
Thank you, assembled from parts, that would explain a lot.
Jerry