^Lot 155 Sharps Rifle Co. 1874 .45 2 7/8 #161269

This is an Historical 1874 Sharps rifle that belonged to Brigadier General Patrick Henry Ray, U.S. Army. General Ray enlisted as a private in the 2nd Wisconsin Infantry on May 7th, 1861 and retired on May 8th, 1906, serving 45 years. He fought in the Civil War, Indian Wars and the Spanish-American War. The rifle was specially ordered on June 5th, 1878 by Frank Hyde, the traveling agent for Sharps and a Creedmoor shooter of note. The order was for 1st Lt. Ray who was assigned to the 8th Infantry at the time. It is a Sharps 1874 sporting rifle a 30" heavy octagonal barrel with German silver front sight, rear notch/ladder flip sight, checkered pistol grip stocks, smooth steel buttplate. The caliber is .45 using a 2 7/8" case. The bore is very good/bright, strong rifling, the barrel is a dull blue with edge wear on the flats, the receiver has turned a gray/brown patina, hammer action is smooth/tight. The wood is overall very good with some dings and dents, the checkering on the forearm is worn smooth, there is a small hairline crack on the upper right forearm and the horn grip cap is cracked, missing half. There are 4 brass tacks in the underside of the forearm, appear period done. Rifle has seen hard use, but was well taken care of. It is very likely that Ray took this rifle to the plains with him. Includes Sharps factory letter and some of Ray's military records, including a photograph of him when he was a Captain. "Bob" Butterfield Collection, former president of Sharps Collectors Association and featured in his articles on the rifle.
NRA Condition-Fine. Antique Firearm.