Help ID'ing Falling Block Rifle

[Krfresno]

I have the following falling block. Not a single exterior marking except for a 2 1/10 about 1" from the breech. Very small stamping even for that. Any ideas as to origin?maker? model? I believe it to be an original. It has been in the family for 60+ years. M Uncle acquired this from a family that had no idea what it was. The kids were using it as a toy in the front yard. He offered the parents some cash for it and the rest was history.

It has a 30" octagon barrel and double set trigger. Looking at a Sharps book I have it has some of the elements that a Sharps would have but I don't know if there were others that made similar rifles.

This seems to be a .45 cal. If what I have found is correct the 2 1/10 would be the alternate designation for the 45-70. Would 45-70 brass be the appropriate brass. It seems to chamber 45-70 brass correctly. The action is tight and smooth. Internals look to be in good condition. The exterior is a bit rough.

Would like to shot it at sometime but want to figure out what it is first. Any help you folks can offer would be greatly appreciated.

If a different picture would help please let me know.

Thanks, krfresno

905809057890579905819058290583

[uscra112]

Sure has a Sharps look about it. With set triggers, no less?

But there'll be better info from real Sharps collectors by noon Sunday.

[hickstick_10]

thats an original sharps 1874, not many of those floating around.

[CanoeRoller]

Certainly has the look of an original Bridgeport Sharps in 45-70. Look at the top of the barrel a few inches in front of the receiver, and try to see if there are any markings at all. Even if they are not legible, it would help in further identification.

[elk hunter]

Sharps model 1874, case length is 2 1/10" which is the designation for 45-70 length cases. If it's 45 caliber it's 45-70. I believe there may have been other bore diameters that used that case length. If it's 45-70 it was made between 1876 when they first chambered that round and 1882/1883 ? when they went out of business. Look at the top flat of the barrel in front of the rear sight it should say "Old Reliable Sharps Rifle Co. Bridgeport. Conn."

If the barrel is good and the headspace OK, they are fun to shoot and I speak from experience, I've been shooting one for over fifty years.

[John Allen]

That is a neat looking old 1874 Sharps.

[skeettx]

Lots of folks will be wanting this gun
Be careful, it is worth doing research on
Mike

[bob208]

yes a sharps 74. it was sharing the fate of many of the old sharps and hawken rifles . when they were retired or you could not get ammo for them. the kids got to play with them.

[Krfresno]

Thanks to all for the information. If next weekend is sunny I will take it outside and see if I can get indication of makings in the locations folks have described. Unless the 2 1/10 was stamped much deeper than the other markings, I do not think any others show. The outside is fairly rough but not that rough.

Any ideas on how to potentially enhance any makings under the rust without ruining the "patina" that this one has developed?

Skeettx, I have no intention of selling this one. I want to shoot it, but want to understand what I actually have before doing so. I do have some other items I am considering trading around for new/old loves though.

Thanks, krfresno

[skeettx]

Do NOT mess with the gun, :) you are most fortunate

What you REALLY want for this gun is CAST bullets,
the barrel iron is soft and the jacketed bullets will wear it excessively

Mike

[Anonym]

Try "rubbing" for markings on the barrel. Take some thin paper and lay it on the barrel then lightly rub another sheet over the top of it that you've rubbed pencil lead on. The lead will rub off onto the clean paper but give you an outline of any markings on the barrel. Sweet find!

[MtGun44]

If it is in good shape, .45 70 should be safe in it if you stick to factory 405 gr loads.

Better is to load cast boolits in that wt range with something like 12 gr of Unique.
Clean the exterior with nothing harsher than Hoppes #9 and 0000 steel wool.

Bill