Mostly Long Guns

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.  

Although Sharps made different rifles and handguns, their most famous and sought-after model is the Model 1874 cartridge rifle. First introduced in 1871, it was later named the Model 1874 and became widely popular with buffalo hunters or anyone who needed a powerful, long-range rifle.

Today, original rifles command a premium, especially high-condition examples that are suitable for accurate shooting. Reproductions are the obvious solution, with respectable examples being produced in Italy by David Pedersoli, A. Uberti and Armi Sport. However, there are two USA-based companies producing very, very high-quality reproductions that include Shiloh Manufacturing and C. Sharps Arms Company, which are both 100% manufactured in Big Timber, Montana. Both companies have been in business since around 1975 or 1976 (and that’s a story for another day), and parts are fully interchangeable with the originals. I own rifles manufactured by both and highly recommend either, as they are extremely well-made, accurate and each gun is custom-made to customer specifications.

The Shiloh and C. Sharps rifles are not mass-produced; rather every gun is meticulously crafted and displays impeccable quality and workmanship. They are striking guns, as even an untrained eye will quickly recognize. They are special, with old fashioned walnut stock, perfectly machined and polished blue steel that is blended together with old world style hand craftsmanship, perfect inletting, etc., which seems to be an art that is quickly disappearing from our modern world in favor of synthetics. But the demand remains very high for these fine rifles, as Shiloh currently has a waiting list of around 30 months, while C. Sharps is around 12 to 14 months.

For today’s purposes, a C. Sharps Arms Model 1874 chambered in 45-70 Government (2.1-inch case) was selected. It is the Hartford Model fitted with a 30-inch No. 1 tapered heavy octagon barrel (1.120-inches at the breech and tapers to 1.00-inch at the muzzle) with Hartford collar, blade front sight, and Buckhorn rear (ladder style). The receiver and butt-plate are French gray, while the forearm features a German silver Nose Cap. The stock is a military pattern with a straight grip but without the patch box and semi-crescent butt-plate. The stock is constructed of extra fancy American walnut. In addition to the above options, it features double set triggers with the front trigger breaking without set at 7 pounds (but due to the weight of the rifle does not feel that heavy) and breaks clean at just 8 ounces in the set mode. It is a handsome rifle, a real eye-catching work of art that boasts of better tolerances than original Sharps rifles!  

The receiver is constructed of 8620 steel, which, combined with the inherit strength of a falling block action, it’s a strong rifle capable of handling all +P style 45-70 loads intended for modern Marlin Model 1895 rifles that is generally around 43,500 psi. In fact, C. Sharps Arms suggests that it is capable of handling “starting loads for the Ruger No. 1.” As such, the gun is capable of pushing 400- and 405-grain JSP or 430-grain cast bullets to 2200 fps and is capable of taking all of North America’s big game, but is also suitable for most African game.  

For many years C. Sharps Arms used the highly respected Badger barrels; however, when that company sold several years ago, and soon thereafter, they discontinued supplying barrels for vintage style arms. Currently C. Sharps is using barrel stock from McGowen and Green Mountain – depending on caliber.

Before pulling the trigger, it should be mentioned that the hammer has three traditional positions. However, before opening the action to check to see if the gun is unloaded or to load a cartridge in the chamber, the hammer should be brought to the safety notch (the first click) to prevent damaging or possibly breaking the firing pin. And generally, it’s best to pull the rear set trigger after the hammer is in the full cock position.

As can be seen in the accompanying chart, several factory loads were tried from Black Hills Ammunition, Buffalo Bore, Hornady, HSM, and Remington. From a bench with sandbag rest, some of the more accurate loads produced 4-shot groups from 1.1 to 1.25 inches at 100 yards. For example, the Hornady LEVERevolution 325-grain FTX load produced 2096 fps and grouped into 1.10 inches. The old Remington 405-grain JSP load produced an average group of 1.15 inches, while Black Hills 325-grain HoneyBadger grouped into 1.20 inches.

With the weight of the C. Sharps rifle tipping the scales at 11.4 pounds, the recoil of standard pressure 45-70 loads is very mild, certainly pleasant enough that very few shooters will find it objectionable.  

Moving on to handloads, naturally with cast bullets, one of my favorites in the 45-70 is from RCBS mould No. 45-405-FN that weighs around 415 grains with my alloy and features a gas check. Starting with new Starline cases capped with a CCI BR-2 primer, charged with 47.0 grains of Accurate A-2015 powder, velocity reached 1817 fps, and the extreme spread was just 12 fps for five shots. And the pressure is only 27,000 psi! Four shot groups hovered between .90 and 1.30 inches. The second load consisted of the Redding/Saeco No. 881 bullet that weighs 505 grains. Using 44.0 grains of Hodgdon Varget powder, velocity was 1511 fps. It did not fare as well at 100 yards as the lighter bullet, as groups hovered around 1.30 to 1.80 inches. However, in firing those same loads at targets 400 to 600 yards, the accuracy was good, and the bullet seemed to be fully stabilized, but that is a subject for another day.

It might be interesting to mention that C. Sharps Arms offers high-quality reproductions of other vintage single-shot rifles, including the 1875 and 1877 Sharps, 1879 Hepburn, 1885 Lowwall, 1885 Highwall, and the Hopkins & Allen.

The C. Sharps 1874 Hartford has a base price of $2,999.00, with options adding to that figure.

Considering the history, high quality, old-world style craftsmanship, accuracy, and tremendous fun that this unique rifle offers, it’s a bargain!

Fun Fact: It has been stated and repeated many times, even currently, that the term “sharpshooter” originated with a person shooting a Sharps rifle and known to be an outstanding shot. However, that is not correct! The earliest reference I could find for “sharpshooter” was during the Revolutionary War, roughly 75 years before Christian Sharps first produced firearms in 1851. In fact, during the battle of Saratoga in 1777, sharpshooter units were formally organized to destroy specific enemy officers and artillery units. They were an important part of the war. Sharpshooter units have been established many times since, but they have used a huge variety of firearms appropriate for the period.