The name “Old Reliable” is intriguing, as it originated with hunters that used Sharps rifles in the field but is most associated with the Model 1874 cartridge rifle. After all, they proved reliable mechanically and were tough as nails under frontier conditions. They provided reliable power for hunting big game, especially in .44, .45 and big .50 calibers. And they provided reliable long-range accuracy. Clearly, the name was perfect for such an outstanding rifle! But what is also interesting is that the (Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company, 1855-1874) or later the Sharps Rifle Company (1876-1881) Model 1874 was only produced for about 9 or 10 years from 1871 through 1880 or 1881. During those few short years, it earned legendary status among target shooters, military men, frontiersmen, and hunters and had a larger-than-life reputation. ...Read More >

“Here,” a lady friend said, waving at a stack of antique rifles leaning in a corner of her den. “Why don’t you take one of these home?” I refrained from shrieking delightedly like a five-year-old at his biggest-ever birthday party and instead feigned nonchalance and only mild interest as I plucked the topmost rifle from the teepee of guns. More expensive original 1873 Winchesters and such were visible further in the stack, but I couldn’t take such advantage of a widow. As a favor, for two years now, I’ve been disposing of her late husband’s Western and Civil War collection; she was offering a thank-you gift, and it would have been unkind not to accept. My pluck rendered a Marlin Ballard in decent, shootable condition. ...Read More >

Riflefolk who find the category of pre-World War II 22 rimfire rifles loosely termed boys’ rifles to be irresistible are constantly searching for another unique example. Of course, when one is found, the new owner wants to shoot it, at least a little. Therein lies a problem. ...Read More >

While still living in New Mexico’s Gila region, guiding Coues whitetail hunters in New Mexico, Arizona and Sonora, Mexico, I spent an inordinate amount of time behind tripod-mounted binoculars. High-end 15x56mm glass was standard issue. West German-made, rubber-armored Zeiss dominated, with a few aus Jena Doctor Optics scattered in there. Swarovski Optik arrived with their 15x56 SLC in 1999, making those early Zeiss (which had been used hard since the early ‘80s) look clunky by comparison. We equipped those powerful binos with screw-on tripod mounts and used them to dissect distant ridgelines and probe for bedded bucks. We carried them in our packs to deploy after reaching a commanding vantage while standard 10x40s hung around our necks. ...Read More >