Help IDing Sharps 1874

[mathewmo]

I have picked up a 1874 Sharps "repo?" in a trade.  Half round, Half oct. bbl.  stamped on the flat is Sharps Rifle Co., Dayton, Ohio.  This is also faintly stamped on left side of receiver.  Also on bbl. is "Old Reliable" logo.  it is marked calibere 45-70 govt.  It is a nice rifle, with really high grade wood, 28" bbl, case hardened receiver.  I can find no other markings with exception on sn, stamped just ahead of tang on receiver, the extractor, and the barrel.  Does anyone have any infor on the mfg of this rifle??  All info appreciated.

[John Traveler1]

IIRC, your model of Sharps reproduction was by the predecessor of the current Sharps Rifle Co, before it was sold and changed ownership and location.  I remember reading a blurb about this in Single Shot Rifle Magazine a couple years ago, referencing a few hundred (?) or  a thousand (?) early Sharps repro rifles that were made in Ohio, but had problems with weak extractors.  They were mentioned as good rifles, but with the noted extractor problem.

HTH
John

[mathewmo]

thanks:  I will look the extractor over better.  It seems to be a quality made rifle.  thanks again  Mike