This Sharps Model 1874 is a Meacham conversion from the 1880s, serial C45712, chambered in 45-70 with a 28-inch round barrel. It carries double set triggers. The metal has settled into a mottled gray and brown patina, the bore is dark but the rifling is strong, and the stock, which is undersized, was refinished a long time ago.

A single-shot Sharps in 45-70 has the look of the old frontier, and that is the main draw of this rifle. The set triggers let a shooter take up a light release for a deliberate shot, and the heavy round barrel settles over sticks or a rest. In North Carolina a 45-70 rifle is legal for deer during gun season, which runs to January 1 in every zone, but given its age and the dark bore most buyers will treat it as a display piece first and talk to a gunsmith before loading it.

Key features

• 45-70 single shot, 28-inch round barrel
• Meacham conversion, circa 1880s
• Double set triggers
• Mottled gray and brown patina
• Dark bore with strong rifling

This antique Sharps ships to a licensed North Carolina dealer for pickup.