#233 • A Rare and Excellent Model 1874 Sharps "A" Sporting Rifle marked J.P. Lower

Part of The Ray Howser Firearms Collection, 1931-2026 (timed auction by Lewis & Grant Auctions)

Starting at $1,700.00

Status: Available

Live bidding starts Nov 20, 2026 10:00 AM EST

.40-70  caliber, 24" Octagonal to round barrel, S/N 200320. A rare and excellent Sharps Model 1874 "A" sporting rifle in .40 - 70 caliber with roughly 700 "A" rifles produced.  Marked on top of the barrel flat with Bridgeport address, "J.P. Lower" and caliber .40.  Round barrel section marked "Old Reliable".  The left side of the frame marked with Sharps patent dates below the "A" in octagon border.  Double set triggers.  Lawrence rear barrel sight and front blade sight.  Blue barrel and frame with case colored lock, hammer, buttplate and patchbox.  Extra finished walnut stock and forearm. The barrel and frame retain most of the original blue finish. The lock and hammer retain most of the case colors.  The stock and forearm with some nicks and dings and retains most of the varnished finish. The bore is excellent being bright and shiny.  The "A" rifles were assembled from parts and sold in lots to mostly western dealers.  With no exact number of how many were produced, the estimate is at 700 as documented on page 129 of the book Sharps Firearms, A Collector's Guide by Roy Marcott, Ron Paxton and Edward W. Marron, Jr.. This specific specimen has all the hallmarks of an "A" rifle being in the serial number range, marked J.P. Lower and the appropriate "A" in an octagon box.  Not many of these "A" rifles have survived making this a center piece for any Sharp's Collector's collection.